








4 o 







A MODERN HERCULANEUM, 



STORY OF THE 



New Richmond Tornado, 



IVho has not felt how sadly sweet 

The dream of home, the dream of home. 
— Moore. 

But O for the touch of a vanished hand, 
And the sound of a voice that is still! 

— Tennyson. 



By ANNA P. EPLEY. 



Published by the Author, 
New Richmond, Wis.: 

1900, 



f5 8'*\ 



LIBRARY of JONGS ESS 
Twu Copieo (1iX«ivea 

MAR 24 lyUi? 

CLASS 'Ct \Ac Noi 
COPY B. 



Copyrighted looo. 



Pioneer Press Co. 

St. Paul. 

Printers, Electrotypcrs and Binders. 



DEDICATION. 



To the humane and kind who deem it a pleasure to 
share with the unfortunate, not boasting of charity, 
but bestowing with brotherly love, and to the true 
hearted and tender who read between the lines sufter- 
ing unseen and wounds of the heart unhealed. 



PRKKACE, 



This account of the grievous whirlwind which 
swept over the little city of New Richmond and ad- 
jacent country, June 12, 1899, is given as a record of 
the event in its many phases of detail, because of the 
importance of the results to individuals affected by it, 
and in the hope that some benefit may result from its 
suggestions. 

The sudden and unprecedented loss of life and 
property, in proportion to the area swept over and 
size of population, makes the occasion momentous to 
our people, and marks a sad turning point in their 
lives. It is to them a milestone set up unexpectedly 
in the midst of life's journey, which says: "Behind 
you is the memory of the breaking up of family cir- 
cles, and the swallowing up of earthly possessions; 
before you a renewed struggle for existence and liveli- 
hood, always a problem in the natural sequence of 
life, and now doubly complicated by circumstances 
and environment for which neither the history nor 
traditions of this locality can furnish instructive 
precedent." In the diverse ways of any community 
much account is made of example and mode of pro- 
cedure likely to prevail under existing conditions ; 



6 A MODK"RN HERCULANEUM. 

but here we have to relate the woes of a people alto- 
gether disjointed from the even t^iior of their way, 
and thrown into a state of confusion and distraction 
entirely unchronicled in the legends of the oldest in- 
habitant. We have read of a fair Acadian village 
whose people were driven out from their homes and 
terrified by the soldiery of a superior nation, and 
made wanderers upon the face of the earth; but the 
sweet cadence of the poet's song as he follows the 
individual journeys and disappointments supposed 
to have resulted from this trying event gives truer 
insight into the vital consequences of such an exodus 
than statistics alone could do. The lives and for- 
tunes of individuals make up the many colored mo- 
saic which pictures the history of communities and 
of nations. In the historical tablet of New Rich- 
mond, of the circles which mark the years of its 
growth, we will note about the fiftieth. It is cloudy 
and broken. Here is a great ugly blot, and scintil- 
lating from it are flashes of fire, the blackness of 
death, the purple of horror and anguish, the green 
of hideous fright, and the ashen grey of sorrow. But 
mingled with the somber hues are the pearly white 
of sympathy and consolation, and the golden glow 
of charity. Then among the brightening tessellated 
shades we hail the blue of hope and the darting rose 
tints of a new ambition. Fancy predicts ever widen- 
ing circles in subdued but stable coloring to mark 
the coming years. The snows of winter and sum- 
mer's green will many times come and go ere the 
scars on our fair little city will be healed. Although 



PREFACE. 7 

to outsiders much of that which remains to suggest 
those troubled, feverish and unnatural months of 
experience subsequent to the tornado will be invis- 
ible, it is nevertheless just as real as what has been 
seen. 

We offer heartfelt thanks to the friends w^ho 
came to us in our time of distress, and regarded us 
worthy of the best they called their own ; not as 
paupers, though we w^ere poor indeed, but, being 
made so through no fault of our own, an opportunity 
was thus given others to show wdiat manner of men 
they were. Hungry and athirst, unclothed and 
homeless, they found us, and shared with us, not ac- 
cording to their abundance, but according to the lov- 
ing kindness in their hearts. The great throb of sym- 
pathy and love which stirred our sister State of Min- 
nesota entitles her people to the name of kinsmen, — 
weighed in the balance and not found wanting in 
tender and appropriate charity. We ofifer grateful 
tribute to all those who aided our suffering people 
in the work of rescue. The daily press, for their sym- 
pathetic notices of the disaster, and through whose 
agency we are much indebted for assistance rendered, 
placed us under deep obligations. There were or- 
ganizations, communities and individuals to wdiom 
many thanks are due, and yet to whom the expres- 
sion of them is unequal to our gratitude. Their re- 
ward is their inward pleasure in obeying the prompt- 
ings of their own kind hearts. 

The following recitals were collected during the 
days of what will be known as long as this generation 



8 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

of inhabitants dwells here as the "cyclone summer," 
at intervals of the work which we all found to do, 
before the vividness of these events had faded, and 
while we could but speak from the fullness of our 
hearts. It was not permitted me to get them into 
shape sooner, because of the confusion and general 
lack of coordination which prevailed, and to which 
the reader will please attribute a suggestion of such 
condition in the arrangement of quoted experiences. 
However, an attempt has been made to classify some- 
what according to location along the path of the 
storm. The pen of a Hugo or the brush of a Titian 
might find in these scenes facile opportunity for fame, 
for a little adroit coloring will change the common- 
place to the ideal in the page of fiction. But our only 
hope of approval lies in strict conformity to facts, col- 
lected at the expense of persistent work, and in the in- 
terest which will be felt in a representation of the state 
of mind and matter which obtained after the cruel lash 
of the tornado laid us low. There may perhaps be 
some reason for thinking, too, that there has hereto- 
fore been found something not altogether serious in 
the "cyclones" of the West. We have heard the com- 
placent query : "Why do you remain in the cyclone 
belt? We do not have such destructive storms." 
Look carefully, friends, at all records. Even quiet 
old New England has had its great g"ales ; not per- 
haps a counterpart of this in deadliness, according 
to surface swept, but very destructive. By lending 
vour influence in pro>'i(ling a "National Emergency 
Fund" for sufferers from such exceptional disaster, 



PREFACE. 9 

you may supply the fountain from which will flow 
blessings to you when overtaken by *'a lugubrious 
flash followed by a relapse of horror." 

In using the words iornado and cyclone inter- 
changeably, I have for authority the ''Standard Dic- 
tionary" and western parlance. It is quite commonly 
known that the nomenclature is not strictly correct 
as thus applied, but the rotary motion of such storms 
as we have experienced (and as readily seen on ac- 
count of defined limits) has led to the use of the Vvord 
which most evidently implies a cycle or circle, as a 
local and specific rather than a general designation 
of the storm area. 

Relying upon the considerate forbearance of the 
immediate persons concerned, as well as of the pub- 
lic, I send this narrative on its mission. May it please 
you to ignore its faults and read it with attention and 
,grood will. 



lO A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 



CHAPTER I. 



Dark Shadows Faix. 



"A thousand fantasies 
Begin to throng into my memory, 
Of calling shapes and beckoning shadows dire." 

The occurrence known hereabouts as the "Cyclone 
of June 12, 1899," might be briefly stated in this wise : 
A cyclonic cloud was formed at about 5:30 p. m., by 
the meeting of two portions of cloud above Lake St. 
Croix. Turning eastward and then northeastward, 
this whirlwind, growing in size and velocity, devas- 
tated an area about three hundred to Ave hundred 
yards in width and fifty or sixty miles in length, in- 
flicting unusual destruction and loss of life through- 
out its course, but more particularly at New Rich- 
mond, at which point its force and rapidity was great- 
est. This, I say, might, in a way. describe the oc- 
currence. But to dismiss the matter with such 
meager information as the above paragraph contains 
would be to treat with cruel flippancy an aggregation 
of important events remarkable in the rapidity of 
their happening and in the severity of their effect 
upon the lives of several hundreds of people. 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 1 1 

The meeting of the two or more clouds above 
Lake St. Croix was witnessed by a number of intel- 
Hgent people, whose well-authenticated statements 
have furnished reliable information for these pages. 
An eye witness describes the occurrence as follows : 

''A top-shaped cloud came dancing along up the 
lake; aiTother mass or column of cloud came from 
the vicinity of Stillwater. These two clouds were 
merged together in a funnel-shaped cokurm, or a 
cohunnar mass, spreading somewhat at the top, and 
boiling or tumbling rapidly within itself. Thus agi- 
tated, it turned eastward, and skirting the hills south 
of Hudson and hugging the ground closely, it took 
a northeasterly course toward New Richmond." 

The follow^ing description of the formation proc- 
ess, as given, at my request, by Dr. O. F. Thomas of 
Lakeland, is interesting in its minute details, and is 
stated by him to be the consensus of opinion of sev- 
eral different observers. He occupied a good posi- 
tion for ol:»servation, being on the ferry boat, back of 
the Hudson water\vorks. 

"It had been warm that afternoon, and many com- 
plained of the heat as oppressive. So many scorch- 
ing days have come and gone since, that one might 
forget the past while enduring the present. But it 
was unseasonably warm for a June day. At the noon 
hour, and up to three or four o'clock, there were no 
indications of the coming storm. Then the clouds 
began to gather in the west, and gradually spread 
over the sky, finally extending to the horizon all 



12 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

around. But there was nothing alarming in their 
appearance at that time. About half-past four o'clock 
it commenced to rain, and rained briskly for about 
twenty minutes. Hail stones were mixed with the 
rain, but they were not large, and there were not 
many of them. When the rain ceased the clouds did 
not break away, but seemed to indicate that there 
was something more to follow. The sky cleared 
somewhat in the southwest, leaving only a thin haze, 
of the color of the fleecy clouds sometimes seen on a 
fair day. Upon this white space was a singularly 
formed cloud. Once seen it riveted the attention of 
the observer, and he called others to look at the 
strange thing. It extended about one-third the dis- 
tance from the south to the west, and was about fif- 
teen degrees from the horizon. Lowering and dark, 
it had a well defined margin at the base, but with the 
upper part less distinct, as it had some other dark 
clouds for a background. It was moving rapidly to- 
ward the east, and probably toward the north, though 
this motion was not apparent to us. But what ap- 
peared the most peculiar were two protuberances, or 
inverted cones, which hung from its eastern end. ft 
is difficult to describe them, but imagine two cones 
suspended, base upward, say six feet across the base 
and four feet from base to apex; also imagine them 
to be suspended about three hundred or four hundred 
feet away, and they would fill about the same space 
of cloud surface, i. e., would subtend the same angle. 
'That looks very much like a cyclone,' said one of a 
group standing near me. 'Very much, indeed,' re- 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 1 3 

marked a person who had just joined the group, — a 
stranger, temporarily stopping in town. 'I had both 
legs broken at Grinnell, Iowa, and I have had expe- 
rience.' So we were not surprised to see the west- 
ward cone suddenly lengthen out to three or four 
times its original length, and stay in that position six 
or eight seconds, then suddenly draw back, while the 
rest of the cloud seemed in violent commotion. This 
was repeated three or four times, while the whole for- 
mation was moving rapidly toward the east. This 
was about two miles south of the village of Lakeland 
and one-half mile west of Lake St. Croix. 

"The cloud formation did not extend to the earth 
until it reached the lake, and not for some time after, 
for the w^ater could plainly be seen rising from the 
surface before the clouds reached it from above, thus 
showing that there may be great disturbances on the 
ground while the cyclone is still in the air. The ap- 
pearance of the water rising in the air was perfectly 
white, like a heavy spray or steam, or like a stream of 
water projected from a nozzle at great pressure. It 
spread out as it rose, and in a very short time, per- 
haps half a minute, the cloud reached and enveloped 
it, and. all was black to the surface of the water. At 
this time the point of cloud resting upon the water 
seemed to be about two hundred feet across, in shape 
like a half-opened fan, and moved rapidly toward the 
north, directly up the lake. Continuing thus for 
about one mile, it suddenly turned to the east, passing 
up the bank, and leaving a track of broken and 
twisted trees. It seemed to us to go about due east 



14 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

for a distance wc could not estimate, and then turning 
north again passed behind the bluffs east of Lake St. 
Croix and the city of Hudson, and we could see, by 
the diminishing angle, that it was also moving east- 
ward. It continued on its frightful journey until it 
was lost to view on the northeastern horizon. As it 
went from us we could see that it increased in volume 
and violence. Occasionally it would bound from 
the ground and continue its fearful whirling in the air, 
while great masses of black vapor, left behind, would 
jump from the ground and join the mass above." 

Mr. Harry K. Huntoon, a well-known resident of 
Hudson, had a very intimate acquaintance with the 
edge of the cloud after it passed the banks of Lake St. 
Croix. The treatment which he and his companions 
received had something of the ludicrous in it, since it 
did not result in serious harm to any of the party, and 
their own jocose manner of relating the escapade led 
to considerable fun at their expense. Mr. Huntoon's 
account begins from a point of view further down the 
lake than that of Dr. Thomas, and to the south of the 
cloud formation, and is drawn in part from his per- 
sonal observations and in part from stories of others 
sifted to correctness. The statements correspond, 
except in the omission of details, with what has been 
given, and traces the progress of the cloud for some 
distance beyond the bluffs to the east of Lake St. 
Croix. 

"At about 5 :30 p. m. the residents of Afton, 
Washington county, Minnesota, who, being appre- 
hensive of danger from a storm, stood watching the 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 1 5 

skies, saw two large dark clouds coming towards each 
other, with terrific speed. They met and united at 
a point commonly known as Catfish Bar, just below 
St. Mary's Point, and immediately began to revolve 
and assume the appearance of a huge black balloon, 
spinning like a top, and gathering force and momen- 
tum with which to accomplish its awful mission. The 
huge mass of destructiveness then started diagonally 
across the lake, in a north-easterly course, being 
plainly visible from Hudson, whose people thought 
their city doomed ; but fortunately for them it left the 
lake about two and one-half miles below the city, and 
traveled through the farming country. 

''As it left the lake it ascended the hill, and crossed 
the Whitten farm about half way between Prescott 
road and the county fair buildings. Its first victims 
were three traveling men, J. K. Lobdell and A. R. 
Vullmer of St. Paul and Harry K. Huntoon of Hud- 
son, and a driver, Charlie Leavitt, who were on their 
way from River Falls to Hudson, and were caught 
by the storm near the Catholic cemetery. The two- 
seated surrey in which they rode was overturned, and 
the occupants dragged under it into a field of grain. 
Although the carriage was a total wreck, and the 
men minus hats, valises, etc., they were not seriously 
injured, though much surprised and interrupted in 
their conversation." (It is related by someone whose 
name is not given that wdiile the party were hunting 
themselves up after their flight through the grain 
fields, one of them, while groping for his spectacles, 
found a piece of ice about half as large as his head. 



l6 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Holding it up to the others who stood watching the 
cloud as it fled across the country, he exclaimed : '*My 
stars, boys! Just look at that hail stone." ''That's 
not hail, man ; that's a chunk of ice," they explained. 
It is said that the farmer who owned the field found 
a nice mess of fish next day which was not called for.) 
"From this point the storm passed near Frank Mat- 
teson's farm, tearing down some small buildings, and 
them proceeded to destroy about six thousand dollars' 
worth of buildings on the Harry Matteson farm. Mr. 
Alatteson and family saw the storm coming, and took 
refuge in the cellar, thus escaping any injury. From 
Mr. Matteson's place on, for nearly four miles, the 
storm did comparatively little damage, except to blow 
down a large barn belonging to Mr. Edward Daily 
and unroof the Graves' barn. Then crossing the rail- 
road just north of Burkhardt's station, destroyed a 
barn belonging to Julius Beers and demolished all 
the buildings on the HefTron farm, killing the owner, 
Mrs. Kate HefTron. From this point it followed the 
valley of the Willow river to Boardman." 

During the passage of the cyclone cloud from 
Matteson's to Daily's place it w^as observed by Mrs. 
George Martin, to whom we are indebted for her 
impressions, graphically portrayed : 

"The cyclone cloud (or clouds; for the clouds on 
each side were even more w^onderful, as they were 
twisting and turning in every direction, sometimes ap- 
pearing to touch the earth, and looking like steam 
mingled with smoke from a great fire) was a very 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 1 7 

large, dark cloud with a point. When I first noticed 
it it was south of us, and appeared to be going a little 
north of east. My view was a side view, and I was 
very thankful I did not have to look it in the face. 
There was no serious damage done nearer to us than 
three-quarters of a mile distant. It appeared to be 
about eighty rods from us, though I know it was 
farther away than it looked. The funnel-shaped cloud 
itself did not touch the earth while I watched it, but 
appeared to rise and fall, still leaving quite a space be- 
tween it and the ground. 

''After passing our house the course of the cloud 
appeared to be directly northeast, and it traveled 
rapidly. The first building demolished east of us was 
the Edward Daily barn." 

The roof of. a barn was carried over an abruptly 
steep hill that rises tuiexpectedly from the level sur- 
face of the prairie, the elevation not serving to deflect 
the whirlwind from its course. Like some wild mon- 
ster it swept on, uttering a sullen growl as it devoured 
whatever lay in its path. According to Mr. Edward 
Hyde, who witnessed the maneuver: ''It was joined 
just beldw Boardman by a larger and blacker cloud, 
but without the point, coming from the direction of 
Stillwater, and from this point on to beyond New 
Richmond it seemed as if all the demons of hell were 
turned loose to do their worst. There was a rolling, 
boiling mass of clouds, filled with constant lightning." 
The reinforcing cloud which came from the west or 
northwest was also wind laden and destructive. Mr. 
Fred Wolf, in the town of Grant, Washington county, 



1 8 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Minnesota, had his barn twisted and six horses killed, 
and every other bnilding on the place blown to flin- 
ders, with the exception of his house, which was so 
badly damaged as to be practically a wreck. A smoke- 
house, where considerable meat was in process of cur- 
ing, was carried completely out of sight, no vestige 
of its contents ever being found. 

The two learns, granaries, chicken house, etc., on 
the Tozer farm, at Carnelian Lake, were blown to 
pieces, and scattered over the farm. Buildings were 
also destroyed on the farm of Thomas Wood, a mile 
to the northeast of the Tozer farm. 

John Schneider, a farmer living in the vicinity of 
Lake Elmo, was returning from Hudson, and was 
nearing his home just as the storm came down. He 
declared that he saw a building sailing through the 
air; and not only that, but it was on fire, making- a 
rather startling pyrotechnic display, as it passed across 
the lurid heavens. 

Rev. Dr. Degnan, from his home in New Rich- 
mond, watched the approaching clouds. He says: 
"It seemed to me that the b^'g funnel-shaped cloud 
was struggling with the terrible northwest wind. The 
struggle lasted but a minute or two. The vortex of 
the funnel sucked up all the clouds that came near it." 

Thus augmented in power, with greater- rapidity 
and with added terror in appearance and sound, now 
leaping aloft and again darting down to earth to 
snatch its prey, with resistless fury the monster con- 
tinued on its way. Groves of trees were caught froni 
the earth and hurled far out on the prairie, bridges 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 1 9 

were carried away, water was sucked up from lakes 
and millponds even to the dregs of mud, and dwell- 
ings, barns and granaries were leveled to the ground, 
leaving- men and be-'sts alike exposed to the drenching 
rain which followed. 

Besides the wholesale destruction of live stock, 
buildings, wagons and machinery were broken up, and 
most of the fragments carried away from the farms 
along the line of the Omaha Railroad track, it being 
a coincident fact that that railroad runs in a north- 
easterly direction for several miles, and that the storm 
traveled for some distance parallel with it. 

The Lacey, Dorgan, Beebe, Arthur Spencer, Rob- 
inson, Hurd, Toal, Odett and other farms were suc- 
cessively visited by the twisting cloud, the people 
rushing to their cellars, or not having sufficient warn- 
ing were overtaken and injured or killed. At the 
Garrett Lacey farm all the buildings were sw^ept away 
so clean that ''there was not enough stuff left to build 
a fire with." The Arthur Spencer and the Pat Dor- 
gan places fared the same. At the S. S. Beebe farm 
the dwelling house alone was left, minus roof, win- 
dows and doors. In fixing it up again it had to be 
newly plastered, like so many other buildings that 
were left standing in part, the old plaster all coming 
off from the twisting and subsequent wetting. At 
the Herbert Robinson, Hiram Toal and Napoleon 
Odett places the damaged dwelling houses alone were 
left, barns and granaries were destroyed. In Board- 
man also the small grist mill was unroofed and 
the engine house torn away. The depot of the 



20 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Omaha Railroad was entirely destroyed. At the 
Burrowes place, although the buildings were left 
standing in a damaged condition, the monster reached 
out a clutching hand and gathered up a grove of fruit 
trees to scatter along its route. The Granville Hurd 
homestead was the scene of a terrible experience. A 
young man by the name of Neitge had driven from 
New Richmond with a young woman, his intended 
bride. They came into the yard at about the same time 
with ]\Ir. \\^ A\^ears, who was accompanied by a son 
and a daughter. Mr. Wears frequently passed the 
house. He noticed that the cellar bulkhead was open, 
and also the windows of the house, and thought it a 
little strange, as Mrs. Hurd, an aged lady, was always 
very particular to close everything up when a storm 
was coming. The trees obscured the view so that she 
had not noticed the clouds. She came out and asked 
all into the house. Bessie Wears went in with her 
and sat down in the sitting room. The boy, not 
wishing to go in without his father, remained with 
him while he unhitched the horses from the wagon 
and put them in the barn without removing their har- 
ness. Then Mr. Wears and his son had just time to 
jump into the cellar when everything was leveled to 
the ground. A rock weighing seventy-five pounds 
bounded from the cellar wall past Mr. ^^^ears, cutting 
of¥ his trousers leg below the knee and not touching 
him. He did not notice at the time that his boy was 
cut upon his head. Seeing him alive he hastened 
out to look after the others. When jumping for 
^he cellar Mr. Wears had shouted to Mr. Neitge: 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 21 

''You had better get in somewhere." But Mr. 
Neitge had replied: "I guess we'll be all right 
here/' and remained seated in the buggy very near 
the house. Mr. Wears, on coming up from the cellar, 
saw the young woman unhurt, but crying that Mr. 
Neitge had' disappeared. There was nothing to be 
seen of the horse or buggy. Mr. Neitge was dis- 
covered under a pile of debris, dead. The young 
woman related that he had jumped from the buggy, 
and held out his arms to assist her in alighting. At 
that very instant a stick was thrust through his head 
from the back, protruding at the mouth. They fell 
to the ground together, and were pushed along with 
a mass of sticks and other things, from which she had 
extricated herself. Mr. Wears could see nothing of 
his daughter nor Mrs. Hurd in the ruins of the house, 
and was still making a dazed search for them when 
neighbors arrived. "^ The aged lady, the young girl 
just entering womanhood, and the young man look- 
ing forward to his wedding day had all been called to 
their last account. Undiscriminating in its rage, the 
cloud swept on. Mr. Wear's horses were found dead 
about forty rods to the southeast, one having a collar 
only left on and the other bare of harness. It is 
thought the horses must have been carried in a circle, 
as they were wrapped around with telegraph wires 
from the line to the north. 

Mr. Wm. McShane, a resident of New Richmond, 
was driving toward home when he saw the storm com- 
ing up. He was accompanied by one of his daugh- 

*See B. Burrows' account. 



22 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

ters, and hastened to the Toal place for sheher. 
Reaching there he drove the horse and buggy into 
one of the barns, and he and his daughter went into 
the house. Mrs. Toal and her daughter and Miss 
Doty, a seamstress, were there. In a few moments 
Miss Toal looked out at the storm and returning 
spoke quietly to Air. McShane, not wishing to alarm 
her mother needlessly, and asked him to look out 
and see what he thought al)out the approaching cloud. 
Stepping out upon the porch they saw a grand l)ut 
awful spectacle. This was about the instant that the 
wind-laden cloud from the northwest rushed into the 
whirling funnel. There was a confused mountain of 
cloud tum1)ling violently within itself, dropping to the 
ground and lifting again with a churning motion. 
Realizing that they would in all probability be directly 
in_ its course, they rushed to the cellar. The ladies 
supposing that Mr. Toal was out on the road coming 
from Bass Lake, Mr. McShane went upstairs again, 
and looked out at the door. He noticed then that 
the cloud had the funnel-shape; at least, that he 
could see that the cloud bore somewhat the shape 
of a funnel, which had the previous moment been 
obscured by the intervening mass of cloud now 
forming a part of it. The l)ase or tail was now elon- 
gated and slender, and furiously lashing the ground. 
It was probal)ly at al)out this moment that Mrs. R. G. 
Wears, while 1)usied with the preparations for supper, 
noticed the early darkness and the roaring of the tor- 
nado still some little distance away from her place. 
She called her little son, and said: ''Dickey, I wish 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 23 

you would go to the door, and see if you think it is 
going to rain." She had thought that if there were a 
rain storm coming up the milking had l^etter be done 
before supper. The little fellow came back quickly, 
and said : ''How can it rain when there's a big um- 
brella up in the sky?" "An umbrella!" said his 
mother. "What do you mean?" "Well," replied 
the boy, "if you don't believe me, you can go and see 
it yourself. There's a big umbrella up in the sky, 
with the handle hanging way down." The mother 
looked out, and was convinced that the child had well 
described the object moving along the heavens. She 
hastened to go to the cellar with her children. For- 
tunately her home was not struck, but after coming 
up from the cellar they experienced the effects of the 
wind that followed and which threw their windmill 
down. 

To return to Mr. McShane, whom we left standing 
at the door of the Toal residence. He had been there 
but a moment, had glanced at the storm, and looked 
down the road for Mr. Toal. Not seeing him, he had 
turned to go back, when Mr. Toal drove rapidly into 
the yard, left his team and wagon standing there, 
and came into the house. Grasping his arm Mr. Mc- 
Shane told him that the others were in the cellar, 
where both men went at once. Only a moment or 
two they waited ; as the weird rumbling came nearer, 
it seemed to deafen their ears, then rolled past the 
house, taking up two barns and a woodshed, carry- 
ing them away clean, and demolishing the barn into 
which Mr. McShane had driven the horse and buggy. 



24 A MODERN HERCULANEIUM. 

So completely were these covered with a mass of 
broken timber that it was useless to try to uncover 
them. It was a foregone conclusion that the horse 
was dead. The team and wagon which Mr. Toal had 
left standing in the yard were found about forty rods 
away, across the railroad track, the horses stripped 
of harness and separated from the wagon, but still 
alive. A large tree fell upon the house from the south, 
breaking the roof. 

Miss Doty had been at work upon a black silk 
dress, but on account of the darkness had drawn near 
the window, and still being unable to see to sew went 
to the kitchen for an iron to do some pressing. See- 
ing there was no fire, she said to Mrs. Toal that she 
had thought she would do some pressing, to put in 
her time before supper. Mrs. Toal replied to her, 
saying she had not built the fire for preparing supper, 
as she feared there was a storm coming up, and she 
didn't like to be about the stove when there was li^ht- 
ning. Miss Doty went back to her work, and decided 
that she might do some cutting out, but just then 
Miss Toal came in and said all must go to the cellar. 
Miss Doty looked at her watch, she says, and found 
the time to be five minutes to six. 

While in the cellar Miss Doty tried to comfort 
little "Dot" McShane by saying: "You can see out 
through the cellar window that there is no wind. 
There seems to be nothing stirring." Mr. McShane 
remarked : ''We shall see something stirring pretty 
quick." Then in about a half a minute Miss Doty 
noticed that the trees were bent to the ground and 



DARK SHADOWS FAI,L. 25 

twisting about. There was a shower of something 
wet and sharp, and she threw her apron over her 
head, thinking it was hail. Then a big crash came, 
as something hit the dining room door overhead, and 
threw it across the room in a heap, with table and 
chairs, which were heard moving across the floor. 
She took her apron from her head, and saw that the 
shower which she had taken for hail was a shower of 
dirt and mud. She distinctly remembers the first 
crash, then all other sounds were lost in the general 
noise. They afterwards watched the cloud rolling, 
''like a cart wheel," across the prairie. 

A host of difificulties confronted all who wished to 
get from this locality to New Richmond. It was soon 
evident that much damage had been done. Coming 
up from the cellar, looking about to see that all were 
there, and taking a hasty inventory of the ruins in 
sight, were mutual experiences of the many, but just 
as important to each individual as though his were 
the only case. 

When the storm was approaching ten head of 
horses on the Burrows' place had been seen going 
toward the barnyard. After it had passed Mr. Mc- 
Shane, on his way to get a horse and rig to come home 
with, saw the sole survivor of the ten limping toward 
home on three legs, the fourth one broken and dan- 
gling. The others were found in a heap several rods 
away, in a small ravine, either dead or dying. Among 
them was a horse belonging to John Merrihew, who 
worked half the night trying to get him out of the 
barbed wire which was wrapped around him. Finally 



26 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

the horse had to be kiUed l)ecause so badly in- 
jured. Securing a cart and the old family carriage 
horse from Mrs. Burrows, who begged him not to 
kill the horse in his anxiety, father and daughter set 
out in the pouring rain and heavy wind to learn the 
fate of the family at home. The rain and wind, bad 
as they were, held only a secondary place in mind, but 
the annoyance of being repeatedly forced from the 
road and horse and buggy becoming mixed up with 
wire and fallen trees served the purpose of obliging 
consideration of present difficulties. The Hurd place 
lay beside the way. razed to the ground, and the nu- 
merous trees in the yard twisted and broken in fan- 
tastic shapes, while across the field to the southeast 
could other broken trees be seen marking the path of 
destruction. Near Gloverdale all looked undis- 
turbed. Perhaps New Richmond had escaped ! But 
ascending the hill east of the Russell place, brought 
the fires to view. Further along was the place where 
the Taft buildings had stood. Now there was noth- 
ing on either side of the road, and a general flatness 
was about the only impression made by the landscape. 
Is it to be wondered that this man was overtaken mo- 
mentarily by a sensation similar to that which he 
might have experienced at being swung out over a 
chasm, with only the sky above and deep darkness 
beneath? He had one little daughter by his side, 
but a tumult of uncertain conjectures arose 
within him as to the fate of the remainder of his 
family. There seemed small hope of their being un- 
hurt. He saw some men, hatless and coatless, run- 



DARK SHADOWS FALL. 27 

ning- toward the center of town, as if for dear life. 
Anxious to learn something definite, if possible, he 
shouted, "How is it with New Richmond?'' again and 
again ; but the men ran on, not answering a word. 
Their actions seemed so extravagant, and the sur- 
roundings so weird, that a strangely excited feeling 
took possession of Mr. McShane as he picked his way 
along streets, that morning so familiar, now so ob- 
scured and disordered. And as he met or fell in with 
other men he found that this feeling had taken pos- 
session of all. Some appeared almost beside them- 
selves; perhaps not with fear of anything to come, 
but with horror at what had transpired. Answers 
were irrelevant and unsatisfactory, as all were study- 
ing up on the w^hereabouts of their own family or 
friends. 



28 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 



CHAPTER 11. 



One Beautiful, Awful Summer Day, 



"Oh beautiful, awful summer day! 
What hast thou given, what taken away? 
Life and death and love and hate, 
Homes made happy or desolate, 
Hearts made sad or gay." 

— Longfellow. 

"And I looked, and behold a whirlwind * * * a great 
cloud, and a fire infolding itself." 

"Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem. 
Impulit in latus; ac venti velut agmine facto 
Ina data poeta, ruunt et terras turbine perfluant." 

— / 'ergil. 

On the day which brought its downfall New Rich- 
mond was a place of pretty homes, prosperous busi- 
ness, and happy people. Situated on both sides of 
the pictures(|ue Willow river at the junction of the 
Wisconsin Central and northwestern branch of 
the Omaha Railroad, surrounded by an undulating 
prairie country, dotted with fruitful farms, the place 



ONE BEAUTIFUL, AWFUL SUMMER DAY. 29 

was noticeably attractive. Reposing among its 
groves of oak, maple and elm, when the rising sun 
gilded its roofs and steeples and brought out irides- 
cent sparkles upon the dewy grass, it looked the pic- 
ture of an ideal western city. Though still some- 
what in embryo, it was rapidly taking on metropolitan 
improvements and manners. No doubt many coun- 
try boys and girls, too soon awakened from their 
morning nap to begin the labor of the day, thought 
they would w^illingly leave the fragrance of clover and 
growing grain, with its accompanying toil and un- 
certainty, and try the neighborliness and rest which 
the clustering chimneys of the town, not spouting 
smoke too early, seemed to indicate. Perhaps they 
looked forward with impatience to the drive and good 
time there, long set down on the day's program. No 
doubt the drowsy passengers on the morning trains, 
raising the windows and spying the neat outskirts 
and the high and level site, made the mental, if not 
audible, comment, ''This is one of the prettiest places 
along the line," and their inclinations were to leave 
the close atmosphere of the car and stroll along the 
pleasant, shady streets. Beautiful trees, tilled with 
an unusual number of nesting birds, gently waved 
their foliage banners, as if waving a welcome to coun- 
try friends who were expected that day. Clean lawns 
and yards well kept testified to the recent spring clean- 
ing, in the doing of which every householder had ex- 
hibited a commendable spirit of rivalry in trying to 
out-do his neighbor. Stately rows of painted poles 
supported the wires which brought the water-power 



30 A MUDliRN llliRCULANEUM. 

generated electric current from Somerset, eight miles 
away, to set the water-works pump humming at the 
city station, and the New Richmond Roller Mills to 
grinding its famous flour. Business houses, opening 
up for the day, wore an air of prosperity and expect- 
ancy for the brisk trade in view. ^lilk and bakers' 
carts went on their early rounds, and market men 
and grocers delivered an unusual number of supi^lies. 
The housekeepers "looking well to the ways of their 
households," had sent in early telephone orders to 
supply the Sunday-depleted refrigerators. This was 
Monday, too, and according to the custom of New 
England, from whence many of us came, it was wash 
day. ^Ia"ds, astir while the birds were still singing 
their morning songs, had made great progress on the 
day's labor. Snowy linen spread to dry, lithe and 
graceful workers, bare arms, and blowing tresses are 
themes to delight the artist and true art lover, but 
too often unnoticed because commonplace ! Do not 
the frecjuently repeated, the every-day, scenes of home 
life make the sweetest recollections of after years? 
The gathering together of friends in some favorite 
nook of the old homestead to read some fascinating 
story, to sing, or to frolic, furnishes a fund of reminis- 
cences whenever we return there. Some familiar ar- 
ticle of furniture will recall scores of good times and 
start many pleasant stories. 

As well settled and peaceful as any place of its 
size was New Richmond, its inhabitants numbering 
rbout twentv-five hundred, were composed largelv of 
people removed hither from eastern states, of all na- 



ONE BEAUTIFUL, AWFUL SUMMER DAY. ^ 3 1 

lionalities and creeds, dwelling together in iniusual 



"Such is the patriot's boast, where e'er we roam. 
Man's first, best, countrj^ ever is at home." 

The intellectual enjoyed opportunities for study: 
the enterprising found time in the intervals of business 
occupation to carry out ambitious schemes. The 
merchant, smiling and suave, won his way to the 
palms and purses of those of moderate means or patri- 
otic sentiment who "trade at home," even denying 
themselves the pleasure of going with the merchants' 
wives to St. Paul on their shopping excursions. 
^Milliners, who copied the French creations in the win- 
dows of the metropolis and sold them to us for half 
the price, and dressmakers who tripped gaily to their 
work of concocting designs in a style that put vain 
wishes in the hearts of women, held each their re- 
spected place. Lawyers who found out from myste- 
rious volumes the proper antidote for an overdose of 
wickedness; doctors who patiently went their rounds, 
and impatiently rounded up their monthly accounts: 
dentists and druggists, photographers, tmdertakers. 
shrewd financiers, and rotund and rosy bankers wax- 
ing great on interest and mortgage diet, and all their 
clientele exchanged nods and smiles. ^Mechanics and 
laborers supported cozy establishments, and imdis- 
turbed by the troubles that rack large manufacturing 
centers, labored by day and slept by night, taking such 
sweet rest as only tired muscles know. ^Ministers of 



32 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

the several churches., and the white-haired sunny-faced 
priest toiled for the salvation of souls, more mindful 
of the sins of omission than commission among this 
people, somewhat tolerant of their own shortcomings, 
as often happens where there are few really great mat- 
ters to arouse to action. The lady of leisure would 
sometimes retail gossip, though the faithful few did 
whatever the hands found to do. 

Social distinctions as to wealth or lineage were not 
so closelv drawn as to interfere with creneral eood 
comradeship. The world looked rosy, and there were 
no forebodings of disaster. Though the place was 
not in all respects phenomenal, it was in truth fair and 
dear to many. The country fields stretch near, and 
walks and drives keep town people in touch with the 
country folk, whose simpler, and therefore more per- 
fect, ideals of life and living are refreshing and refin- 
ing. ' 

The young, the old, the grave and the gay were 
alike glad of the return of summer, after the some- 
what tedious winter and spring, and aware how 
(|uickly it would pass were planning how to make 
the most of it. Only Thursday last the children were 
released from school. Fond parents listened with ap- 
proval to the creditable exercises of graduation, and 
were proud of the sons and daughters who were fast 
making into respectable, helpful citizens. Already 
hunting, fishing and camping were talked of, for 
however pleasant the home may be, there is an ele- 
ment of the savage in us still and pathless wood and 
prairie, and the music of the far-ofif stream attract us 



ONE BEAUTIFUL, AWFUL SUMMER DAY. 33 

when the summer days come and nature unfolds her 
beauty. Those who were not counted in with the 
outing parties were busily putting their heads to- 
gether to make things as lively as possible at home. 
Like most places of its size, this possessed a share of 
well-to-do, and some who were termed wealthy, but 
of the very poor we may say none at all, since the 
productiveness of the surrounding country places the 
price of food products within the reach of all who are 
able to work, and cases of destitution in the matter of 
fuel and clothing have always been speedily provided 
for. Most of the people, then, were neither rich nor 
poor, being upon that middle and most comfortable 
round in the ladder of fortune which enabled them to 
look with social toleration upon those who occupied 
the places lately vacated by themselves, and to cast 
an unenvying glance upward toward those who al- 
ways hang with precarious and worrisome footing to 
the topmost rounds. 

We can imagine these citizens, on this pleasant 
summer morning, complacently looking forward to 
the work of the day, and sitting down to their whole- 
some breakfasts with their families about them, feel- 
ing well established in business and very well satisfied 
with the world. And, of course, basing all plans for 
the future upon the past, each was no doubt counting 
his own particular basket of eggs with hopeful specu- 
lation. Their families, too, the pride of every well- 
balanced man, entered largely into their thoughts. 
The bright sons who were to make places for them- 
selves in the world, and were perhaps giving evidence 



34 A mode:rn herculaneum. 

of ability that would soon attract attention of people 
outside of the family ; the lovely daughters, taking on 
the graces of womanhood, and cheering life's pathway 
with helpful hands and gentle ministrations : the 
vounger children, playful and inexperienced in hard- 
ships, and delighting with their pranks ; and the ten- 
der infants, whose kisses, soft as rose leaves, sooth the 
care-full day, — all claimed a share of the parent's 
thoughts as. he looked forward to the future. Per- 
haps, too, a dear old grandparent, who had a warm 
corner and filial love for his portion in declining years, 
was appealed to for the word of wisdom drawn from 
experience. Each member of the household, his likes 
and dislikes, his peculiarities, his caprices, his hobbies, 
even, however uninteresting to the rest, must all re- 
ceive consideration in the management of the home. 
For only by the cooperation of individuals is the great 
science of home-making brought to perfection. ' Each 
w^ent forth to his daily task all unsuspecting of the 
tragic happenings which a few hours Vv'ould bring. 
Rejoicing in the cheerful promises of the morning, in 
the encouraging companionship of friends and dear 
ones, each bade the other "good day," with no cause 
for apprehension to mar the outlook. Day by day 
for nearly half a century the lines of life had run out 
as smoothly as could be expected in this jostling, 
hustling world, and nothing had suggested the prob- 
ability of a hopeless tangle. The diversity of duty 
and pleasure, with only such mishaps as are the com- 
mon lot of mortals, had marked the passing years. 
And in looking back it seems that the happy mo- 



one: beautiful, awful summer day. 35 

ments stood out most clearly while little troubles 
were but trifles to shade the back-ground. Re- 
touched by the high lights of memory, times past and 
associations severed stand out more boldly when the 
heart longs for them to fill the vacancy left by their 
departure. But sentiment rarely comes much to the 
surface when the mind is intent upon labor or busi- 
ness. 

This day was somewhat a gala day. The city 
was soon lively with teams and turnouts, and a num- 
ber of outsiders had come to town. People took 
time to chat with their friends, to remark the good 
appearance of the city, its prospects for further de- 
velopment, and the plans of its people. Much of 
this was discussed by groups on street corners, while 
waiting for the circus parade. The average Ameri- 
can loves a show, although the small boy generally 
gets the most credit for it. A line of youngsters with 
flags and tin horns or a magnificent pageant usually 
has its attractions for the older folks as well. In 
fact, it might truthfully be asserted that none except 
the bed-ridden would miss going to the window, at 
least, and remaining until the last of the line disap- 
peared from view. 

As this eventful day wore on the air became warm 
and sultry. A few floating clouds gave weather proph- 
ets and idlers a chance to predict rain early in the 
afternoon, but it was not until half-past five that there 
were indications of an immediate shower. Then a 
little flurry of rain accompanied by some thunder and 



36 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

lightning drove people indoors. This shower was 
followed by a fall of hail that came down rather slug- 
gishly than otherwise. Then after a short calm the 
gathering darkness threw a shade of gloom over the 
city. This was about the time when men were di- 
recting their steps toward home and the evening 
meal. Many people were on the streets, and all along 
by the sidewalks were horses and vehicles that would 
soon be starting home. Clouds were seen to roll to- 
gether in the southwest, and after the maneuvers that 
have been described the funnel-shaped mass of black- 
ness took up its deadly line of march across the prai- 
ries, bearing down with steady aim upon New Rich- 
mond, and portending as certain overthrow as did 
the rain of fire and brimstone to the ancient cities of 
the plain. There were scenes of wild confusioA and 
terror. People ran through the streets, fleeing to 
places of shelter. Some shouted "Wq are doomed !" 
"A cyclone is coming!'' "Flee to your cellars!" The 
funnel-shaped cloud was moving at greater linear 
velocity than at any previous moment, and ragged 
arms, dark and horrible in their gyrations, reached 
down from either side. \\'ith a noise as dreadful as 
if all the caves of ^'Eolus belched forth contending 
winds, steadily grinding, twisting, turning, hurling, 
howling, it moved upon the ill-fated city. The farm 
dwellings just outside, upon the Douglas Ried place, 
were taken up and brought to our very doors. The 
buildings on the J. R. Henderson place \\ ere twisted 
about and one tipped partly over the hill. Mr. Cul- 



ONE BEAUTIFUL, AWFUL SUMMER DAY. 37 

len, who lived there, was in the yard holding to a 
tree, and the bricks from the chimney came dowai on 
him through the branches, having been thrown soiith- 
w^ard ; and a herd of seventeen fine 1)red Holstein 
cattle, property of M. S. Bell, which had been seen 
but a short time previously contentedly grazing 
in the pasture were hurled eighty rods to the south- 
eastward and piled in a dead heap. By the strong 
upward draft the pretty home of Mrs. Dayton was 
carried up into the air, different persons saw it, 
and then fled for their lives. Mothers gathered 
their little ones together, with a prayer for their de- 
liverance ; friends were locked in each other's em- 
brace ; nurses and companions showed devotion to 
their disabled ones, even unto death ; men sought to 
shield the weaker ones, but w^ere utterly powerless 
and puny in the face of such fury. A few, some of 
them women, had the presence of mind to run to- 
ward the west. The noise increased, and the darkness 
became deeper and denser. One after another each 
building" w^as wrenched and twisted, lifted from its 
foundation, crushed and scattered by a resistless and 
venomous force. The roar was so deafening that to 
one directly under the vortex, into whose capacious 
maw a mighty stream of air and objects rushed, 
the cracking and crashing of buildings, the banging 
of tin roofs, the falling thud of masonry, and the bom- 
bardment of the earth with timbers, trees, iron ma- 
chinery and every movable object, were not distin- 
guishable, but were lost in the greater roar of the 



38 A MODERN HERCL'LANEUM. 

elements. It is stated by some who witnessed the 
destruction from a safe distance, that to them the ad- 
ditional noise when the city was going down was 
audible, and w^as like rapid detonations of thunder, or 
the cracking of many rifles in battle, heard in the 
midst of the deeper, constant roaring. 

These were moments fraught with rapid, vivid 
and frightful experience — moments that can come 
but seldom in the lives of men and women and let rea- 
son remain. The brevity of the time alone was its 
saving feature. No mind would bear such strain for 
a long period and remain secure in the possession of 
its faculties. 

A gloomy blackness of cloud swept over us, min- 
gled with instant flashes of light. A chilHng damp- 
ness struck us ; showers of sand and debris fell about 
us ; many received their death blow : many felt the 
grinding of their bones, the crushing of their flesh, 
and the great weight of fragments, beams, trees or 
animals hurled upon them ; some felt their dear ones 
snatched from their embrace by the howling demon 
in his mad dance of death; some felt the hand or 
cheek of the loved one become cold against their own. 
Then the din passed on, and a few moments of silence 
ensued, as intense as that which broods over the un- 
inhabited prairies. A weird, uncanny light, green and 
hideous, it seemed to us, fell upon a scene of desola- 
tion. People crouching in cellars from which the 
buildings had been lifted and carried away slowly 
awakened to the fact that they still lived. Dazed and 



ONE BEAUTIFUL, AWFUL SUMMER DAY. 39 

bewildered, they gazed upon the confused heaps of 
ruins, not understanding the sudden transition from 
a happy, comfortable day to this night of sorrow and 
indescribable horror. On to the northeast swept the 
death-dealing cloud, taking up volumes of water 
from the mill pond and scattering fragments of our 
homes far into the adjoining country. After the 
space of deathly silence following the deafening noise 
of the tornado people awoke from their stupor, and 
those that were able climbed out of the cellars and 
places of refuge, their faces blackened and hair, eyes 
and clothing filled with slimy mud, and many stream- 
ing with blood. They looked about them, and saw 
their homes and places of business a mass of splin- 
tered ruins ; acres of ground once occupied by busi- 
ness and residence blocks now presented a confusion 
of timbers, trees, broken machinery and dead and 
dying animals. For the width of about half a mile, 
extending the greatest length of the city, not a build- 
ing was left standing. W^ood, stone, iron and brick 
had all been served the same, — no form of l)uilding 
material appearing to have any power of resistance 
whatever. Main street had been lined with substan- 
tial brick buildings, of which not one remained, and 
frame buildings were taken up and floated off like 
castles of straw, then dashed to the ground, carrying 
with them all the inmates who were above the sills 
and leaving others stunned and wounded in the cel- 
lars. All articles of household goods were broken 
up or swept away, and the fragments flung into a 
filthy and chaotic mixture. The iron bridge on the 



40 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

main street, spanning Willow river, had been tossed 
in a broken and twisted heap on the bank to the 
southeast, leaving nO connection between the north 
and south portion of town, except the railroad 
bridges. Still further on, more to the eastward, the 
!^Iethodist church was flung across the street in a 
northwesterly direction ; the city power station, 
above which were the council and firemen's rooms 
and the city library, was crumbled to the ground 
floor, the water tower carried oiT, and rows of pretty 
cottages on North Arch and North Green streets 
twisted, both northeast and northwest and south by 
crossing whirls, and their disintegrated portions, with 
hundreds of feet of lumber from the ntill yard were 
dropped into the river or strewn over the fields for 
miles. The cloud crossed the stream wide-spread, 
like a great black wall, as seen from the rear. 



THE ROLL CALL. 41 



CHAPTER III, 



The Roll Call. 



Hark to the hurried question of despair: 
"Where is my child?" Echo answers. "Where 

Abide with me when night is nigh 
For without Thee I dare not die. 



■Bvron. 



-Keblc. 



The first thought of everyone was, naturally, for 
the members of his own family. "Are we all here?" 
was the first eager question, and happy indeed was 
the householder who could look for an answer in 
the faces of those most dear to him, and could feel 
the warm grasp of their hands. A prayer of thanks- 
giving seemed to rise spontaneously to the lips when 
any were discovered alive in the midst of such de- 
vastation. Everything else save human life seemed 
at that time paltry and worthless. People hurried to 
and fro asking: ''Have you seen my son?" "Have 
you seen my daughter?" ''Do you know where 
father is?" Or one from the business street hastened 
toward home asking of those he met : "Is my home 



42 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

gone?" ''Do you know anything about my wife or 
mother?" but rarely recei\'ing coherent answer. Who 
can say how many, too, sought for the one not yet 
his own, with the question he longed to ask fading 
upon his lips when he learned the horrible fate of his 
beloved. Pale and silent, with the heart full of bit- 
ter sorrow, these sought and grieved through the ex- 
citing hours. 

It was soon realized that there must be scores, 
perhaps hundreds, of people/buried under those 
ragged heaps that were but a few moments ago dwell- 
ings and business places, thronged with light-hearted 
people out for a holiday. Slowly, and for the most 
part, silently, a few crawled out to the surface. Some 
were in sight who were unable to extricate them- 
selves ; many were covered so deeply that they could 
not see out, — could not hear nor make themselves 
heard. To those thus imprisoned and yet retaining 
consciousness sufficient to realize the situation the 
experience was one that will never be forgotten ; and 
besides bodily injuries, the effects of the nervous 
strain of those slowly passing moments or hours will 
never be effaced. Fires broke out in several places 
among the ruins almost at the moment the buildings 
fell, causing a thrill of fright and terror when we 
thought of the living treasures buried there. The 
smell of smoke and the sound of crackling llames 
drawing nearer added the last extreme of exquisite 
torture to the minds of those pinioned and suffering 
victims. A few, by eft'orts almost superhuman, sue- 



THE ROLL CALL. 



43 



ceeded in tearing themselves free and working their 
way out, the act only made possible by fear of death 
by fire. 

It did not take long to determine that a number 
of people had been killed. Naturally, many of those 
living in the extreme east and west of the town, where 
some homes were left standing, ran first to Main 
street. One glance revealed such sights of mutila- 
tion and death of those who had been on the streets 
or had been thrown there that it could not be thought 
otherwise than that manv were buried out of sigrht. 
To those first reaching Alain street the silence was 
oppressive. Dead and mangled human forms were 
lying about. A few people who seemed to be alive 
stood like statues, staring helplessly about them. At 
what seemed lengthy intervals one and then another 
person began to move. Some of these started and 
ran as if wild ; some wept as they ran, giving utter- 
ance to their fright like children ; some moved about 
slowly as if little strength remained. But most of 
them were quiet, like the great waste into which they 
gazed. Then they began to stumble over the objects 
in their path. Mechanically they stooped down and 
touched them. What were they? "Oh, God pity 
us! This was my friend! That my neighbor!" 

Miss Lottie Johns was seen creeping through an 
amazingly small aperture in the ruins of her father's 
store, where she had been clerking during the sup- 
per hour. Her father was seen hurrying along the 
street, looking for her. It was a happy moment for 
him when she flew to his side. Mr. \\'illard AA^ells, 



44 A MODEKN HERCULANEUM. 

buried and dying, could 1:>e seen in the piles of rock 
and timbers over the \A'. S. \\'illiams basement. In 
the Bank of New Richmond building were found Mr. 
Wm. Hughes, city clerk, caught in the stairway, and 
though bruised and bleeding, thought not of himself, 
but of his little son AMllie, who had been snatched 
from his protecting arms by the resistless force. Mr. 
Hawkins and son were also in this building : and ]\Ir. 
McCoy, cashier, was soon dragged out from the rear 
of the Bixbv store. Mr. Hagan and other inmates of 
his building were soon discovered. This building had 
been a large frame, containing an entertainment hall 
in the rear and stores and shops in the front. The floor 
was left, but partitions and contents went oft' with the 
roof. Mr. Arthur Thompson, who had worked at 
one of the shops, came out serenely, even his hair 
nicely parted and linen as immaculate as if he had 
just stepped out of the proverbial band box. He 
had gone to the basement in good season. But ]\Ir. 
Hagan and his son had lingered too long observing 
the cloud, and did not escape the flying mass of tim- 
bers in their tardy flight below. ]\lr. Hagan received 
painful bruises. 

In the Denneen, ]\lcCarty and Alliance stores 
there had been a number of people. ]\Ir. McCarty 
and his son had been almost baifled in their efforts to 
open the cellar door, so strong was the draught that 
had already set in when they tried to go down. They 
felt as if they were doomed, but finally got down, 
walked through the cellar and out the hatchway. 
The storm had passed, leveling the building to the 



THE ROLL CALL. 45 

gTOiind. Mr. A. Denneen had dodged under his 
counter and when the store was demohshed was hit 
in such a way that he was l^ent double until the 
weights could be lifted from him. His bruises were 
on the head and back. 

W. S. ^^'illiams and his wife, who had taken ref- 
uge in the basement of then' double stone store, made 
their way out with great dif^culty over the piles of 
rock and brick, and went to the ruins of Dr. Epley's 
office. Here they found their daughter, who had 
been saved with the doctor's family, in the cellar un- 
der the dining-room, that part of the house not going 
down. They were glad to find that Miss Williams 
had not attempted to reach home, as she would no 
doubt have been caught on the way. But thinking- 
of the clerks and others whom they knew to be in the 
basement with them, they were greatly distressed at 
the small number seen stirring. Mr. and Mrs. Will- 
iams and Miss Scott had stood against the south wall. 
]\Ir. Williams had not thought it necessary to go to 
the basement at first, as he said the building was a 
very strong one, and would withstand a good deal of 
a storm, but yielded to the urgent request of Miss 
Scott that he seek safety below. Mr. Williams' limbs 
being partially paralyzed, Mrs. Williams and Miss 
Scott assisted him. 

The blocks of dwellings in the southwest part of 
town were all gone except on the extreme west. Be- 
ginning with the business places, where it was sup- 
posed the greatest number of people were, search 



46 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

was immediately made, while the friends of different 
families were searching the ruined dwellings. The 
Farmers' Hotel Omaha Depot, Merchants' Hotel, 
A. Tobin's implement store and the Rosebrook resi- 
dence, on the south of the \\\ S. \\'illiams' corner. 
w^ere all leveled, as well as about fifty business build- 
ings on the north as far as the river. The questions 
arose at once : "How many inmates did these build- 
ings contain?" "Where are they now?" It was esti- 
mated that there must have been a thousand people in 
these buildings and along the street lying between 
them, and it was feared that many had been swept into 
the river. It was soon ascertained that ]\Ir. Tobin and 
his clerks had left the store and had run toward the 
east, the clerks to the barn on the Wm. Stout place. 
Miss Minnie Doty, bookkeeper, closed her books and 
put them in the safe. Mr. Tobin saw houses flying up, 
and called: "Minnie, come! Aren't you coming?" 
Miss Doty closed the door of the safe and turned the 
combination, then ran with Mr. Tobin to Dr. Epley's 
place, diagonally across the street, going into the 
cellar with the family. Mr. Tobin ran to the north 
side of the house and let himself down into an old 
cistern, holding- on to the pipe projecting a foot or 
two inwards until the darkness cleared away. ]\Ir. 
Tobin had not known previously of the existence of 
this cistern, but as soon as he saw it decided at once 
that it would suit his purpose. There was no time to 
deliberate, and he knew it from previous experience 
in Kansas, but he says he felt as if he couldn't go in- 



THE ROLL CALL. 47 

side of a house. Hanging- here between the confusion 
of the elements above and water beneath, he tried to 
look up and see what was passing, but it was impos- 
sible to see anything. The air was simply whirling, 
stifling darkness. 

There were a number under the Farmers' Hotel, 
one dead and several seriously hurt. One ladv re- 
lates how^ she was in the dining room when suddenly 
the chairs and tables flew at her and covered her in 
such a w^ay that she was not much hurt, although un- 
able to get out. The chairs had clustered around her 
and prevented other things from hitting her. This 
lady's husband was just outside when the storm 
struck, but was found two blocks away. 

The Rosebrooks residence had been thrown to 
the north or northwest. Mr. Rosebrooks was found 
dead, and Mrs. Rosebrooks nearly so. Misses Jose- 
phine and Cora were injured, the latter fatally, being 
found lying on the terrace toward the north, head 
dowaiward. 

Of a large old-fashioned house, occupied by the 
Lewis family, nothing remained but the cellar stairs. 
Sitting in the yard, on a broken tree, near the lifeless 
form of her little brother, was Minnie, the only 
daughter, her arm hanging limp at her side. Mrs. 
Lewis was literally pinned down by the broken end of 
a timber. Mr. Lewis had been thrown into the ruins of 
the Hagan building. The cellarway of the Lewis 
house was a trap-door, and seldom used. Minnie said 
that several things had to be moved off the door, and 



48 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

then they could not open it — "something seemed to 
hold it down." A part of them started to go out 
doors and into the cellar by the hatchway on the 
north side of the house. None of them succeeded, 
however. The Hagan building, in the ruins of which 
Mr. Lewis was found, was north of this house, Mr. 
Lewis' blacksmith shop having stood between. He 
had apparently been blown through or with the shop. 
He was in a bad condition, with his head cut and 
bruises all over his body. 

^Ir. Hicks was one of the first ones seen, and the 
word Avas quickly passed that he was fatally injured. 
Mr. O. J. Williams and Mr. Constance, coming out 
at the back end of the O. J. Williams store, removed 
him from the position in which he had been thrown.* 
On seeing Mr. Hicks Mr. Fink was greatly overcome, 
exclaiming, ''Oh, my poor neighbor!" and staggered 
as if he had been struck. Mr. Fink's daughters, Ida 
and Agnes, had been with him in the store, and had 
gone to the basement with him. They must have 
remained there several minutes, as it was raining 
when they came out and the second wind was fan- 
ning up the fires. Miss Ida says her father spoke in 
German. Although a long residence in this country 
had rendered the use of English habitual to him, he 
now lifted up his voice to the God of his Fatherland 
in many expressions of despair. Seeing Mr. Hicks, 
one of the young ladies cried excitedly : "Who is 
it? Who is it?" Feebly he replied, "Hicks." Mr. 
*See account of Mr. Constance. 









I 




:# 3^.V'^ 




THE ROLL CALL. 49 

Hicks' family were soon out, making anxious search. 
Only a half hour before the fatal blow was struck he 
had bade a laughing good-bye to his wife and a friend, 
in his usual happy way. 

Seyeral fell with the Bell & Smith market. Mr. 
Arthur Smith found himself in the basement, sup- 
porting the bricks of a disrupted chimney with his 
shoulders, and was so deeply covered that he could 
not see out. His arms were free, or sufficiently so 
to permit him to free them. He was bent nearly 
double. There was yery little space to work, and he 
did not know at what moment the pile of bricks 
might settle down oyer him. But he set his teeth 
together until they broke, and carefully working and 
feeling his way, he drew out bricks and piled them 
under his feet until he succeeded in getting out. He 
turned his efforts at once to the freeing of others, 
until the smoke became so dense that he was obliged 
to leaye. The bruises on his own back and shoulders 
would have been sufficient burden for him to bear at 
any other time, but men noticed only great things 
that night. Obliged to abandon the task the thought 
of the ones who were undoubtedly in there yet was 
like an unspeakable nightmare. 

Mr. Leigh Prentice, superintendent of the local 
telephone exchange, and Miss Florence McShane 
(now Mrs. Prentice), day operator, had been in the 
basement of the Patton & Carey drug store. They 
were able to account for several who had escaped 
with them, but of others known to have been in the 



50 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Store nothing could be seen. Among these was Mr. 
John Patton, one of the proprietors. The McNally 
brothers, who had occupied rooms in the second 
story as a law office, were seen lying in the street to- 
ward the north, covered with brick, excepting head 
and shoulders. Mr. E. J. Thompson emerged from 
billowy heaps of ruins, a solitary figure against the 
sky, his head illumined by the strange light that fol- 
lowed the passage of the cloud, reminding one of the 
pictures of the translation of Enoch portrayed in 
Holy AX'rit. Indeed, he said that it seemed to him 
as if he had been translated to another world, so im- 
possible did it seem that this could be the same street 
that he beheld just before he had plunged under his 
counter. To the McNallys, who could see no other 
movable objects from where they lay, he appeared like 
a rising savior coming to their deliverance. 

Across the street, among the 1)ricks from her two 
story store, was Mrs. Belle Aldrich, and near by was 
Mr. H. H. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Oaks, who 
had a law office in the upper story. They were sat- 
urated with kerosene from a bursted tank, and the 
leaping flames thrust red tongues menacingly toward 
them while they struggled to get away. Mrs. Al- 
drich, with heroic determination, tried to extricate 
herself, tearing ofT sleeves and skirts which could not 
be pulled free. Men came and helped her out. Like 
Persephone returning from Hades, she fled to her 
friends away from that horrible place. Mr. Smith 
was unable to get out, but soon received assistance.* 

*See account of H. H. Smith. 



THE ROLL CALL. 5 1 

At the north end of Main street, al:)Ove the shreds 
of the Nicohet house, and above all the surrounding- 
rubbish, standing on a heavy board that- projected 
diagonally into space, stood little Alice AIcKinnon, 
daughter of the proprietor. A few traveling men 
and others, who were in the basement, came up and 
spoke to the wondering child. "Where is papa?" 
"Where is mamma?" "They are in there," she said, 
pointing down. "Down in a hole." 

Mr. E. A. Glover, holding his little son by the 
hand, might have been seen coming along the floor 
of his store, unhurt, and thankful.* Mrs. Brockbank 
and her three children, Mr. Bigelow, a photographer, 
Mr. Martin, a barber, Mr. Legard, a tailor, and many 
others, could not be seen. They must all be in there 
somewhere. The ruins of the postof!ice did not show 
Mr. W. T. Lambdin. Where was he? Where were 
the dozens of others who must have been at theii 
places? AA'here was "Uncle William" Bixby, whose 
figure had long been familiar to our streets? Where 
were Miss Lambdin and Miss Butler, whose friends 
were anxiously seeking them? Should we ever see 
them again? 

Several occupants of the Gillen building were 
found dead or dying, and after some search a portion 
of the youngest child of Mrs. Sheady. Oh, what 
horrors to relate in black and white ! Mrs. Sheady 
was killed with her three children ; but in just such way 
came such experiences to mothers, who were wild- 

*See account of E. A. Glover. 



52 A MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 

eyed and tearless, and seemingly bereft of feeling. One 
of the children was picked up and carried to the 
church, where she was afterwards found by an uncle. 
She could not open her eyes, and made but feeble re- 
sponse to inquiries, and soon expired. Her little body 
could not withstand the rough treatment it had re- 
ceived from the tornado. The Gillen family lived up- 
stairs in a brick building, and ]Mrs. Sheady and chil- 
dren were visiting there. 

It would take long to enumerate all who were the 
subjects of anxious inquiry. On all the streets, 
throughout their length and breadth, many sotight 
for those nearest to them in kin or friendship. The 
instances related are but types of a varied nimiber. 
A few moments after the darkness cleared away a 
threatening wind cloud rolled up from the northwest, 
catising a small panic and another flight to cellars 
among the terror-stricken people. They cried "Its 
coming back." Sticks and fragments were blown 
about, and people were taken off their feet. This 
wind brought with it the heaviest downpour of rain 
that has ever visited this section of countrv. Onlv for 
a few moments did the wretched people desist from 
their wanderings. There was work for them to do, 
and they stoically smothered their own feelings, or 
perhaps they did not think of them, and kept at work. 
Though for an hour and a quarter the rain never 
ceased and the wind blew a gale, there was the same 
search and earnest inquiry in the residence portion. 
As one after another reports came in, it was proved 



THE ROLL CALL. 53 

that pale death with equal strides had spared neither 
the homes of wealth nor the humble roofs of the 
poor. No partial hand had culled the cherished lares 
and pcnatcs which every household contains, en- 
deared by a thousand memories of sentiment and 
love. But the loss of home received at the time little 
consideration compared with the greater questions of 
life and death. Men were looking up the members of 
their family and getting track of those who had been 
their neighbors. Women were looking for husbands 
and children, scarcely aware of their surroundings, so 
intent were their minds upon the one most important 
to them. "How's my boy — my boy? Tell me of 
him, and no other." 

The temperature had fallen several deerees, and 
people who had been thinly clad because of the heat 
of the afternoon became chilled through ; the rain 
came down as if the flood gates of the heavens were 
opened, yet women were seen to kneel in the streets, 
in a sea of mud, and offer thanks to Almighty God 
when a member of their family was found. Still the 
fires burned and crept along from heap to heap, ever 
finding something to feed on underneath, and send- 
ing up bright torches of flames as if to furnish light to 
the workers, and casting uncanny shadows, which, as 
they moved with the flickering of the flames, made 
one fancy that there were spirits hovering about. It 
seemed indeed as if a spell hung over us, and as if 
strange apparitions might appear to us from the dark 
and irregular recesses where now and then a sign of 
struggling life was seen. Frightened children were 



54 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

crvine, and occasionally some one became hysterical, 
and ran \yildly about. Horses struggling from their 
entanglements, stood trembling and gloomily waiting 
to be led a\yay. And as the a\yful loss of human life 
was realized, the sound of \yeeping and lamentation 
was mingled with the groans and prayers of the dy- 
ing. Seeking shelter on the leeward side of wrecked 
buildings, giying such protection as they were able 
to the injured, eagerly groups of the suryiying women 
waited and listened for news from other parts of the 
city. Xo wonder they stared at each other almost 
insanely, and were unable to speak their sorrow as 
one after another the stories were told. 

Of well-known families, it seemed that that of 
Mr. S. X. Hawkins suffered most seyerely in its sad 
depletion. Two beautiful daughters, a little son and 
their sweet and gentle mother were taken in a most 
dreadful way, — if anything could be most dreadful 
where all was so bad. The McGrath and Early 
families in the southwestern and the Legard and Eng- 
strom families in the northeastern part had lost sey- 
eral members each. Mr. \\\ S. Gould was fatally 
injured, and the aged mother of Mrs. Gould could 
not be found. ^Ir. Powell, Mr. Lanphear. Mrs. 
Brockbank and family, ]\Ir. Thomas Martin, Airs. 
Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Lester W'allen, Miss Kate 
McKinnon, Archie Hollenbeck, Mr. Goheen and Air. 
Patrick Early could not be accounted for during the 
first exciting hours. X'one of the Stack family were 
spared. — of father, mother and child, not one was 



THE ROLL CALL. 55 

left to give a word of information. It was known 
that they had celebrated a wedding anniversary that 
day, and that their friends had brought gifts to them 
w^ith their congratulations. Alas ! how nearly do 
pleasure and pain touch each other in this world. 
From life to death ; and then, if we believe the divine 
teachings, we may say from death to life, for we might 
almost fancy that the weeping of friends is heard 
mingling with the songs of the redeemed on the other 
shore, so quickly do they sometimes pass from one 
side to the other. To each, according to his relations 
with the missing, came messages full of sadness and 
uncertainty. Each was everybody's friend, and there 
was a tie of honest, unassuming sympathy between 
all. There was no need of saying it, because it was 
read in the glance, in the touch of the hand, that all 
sorrowed with the sorrowing or rejoiced with those 
who rejoiced in deliverance. Oh ! our hearts were 
heavy and our heads were crazed, before the long 
roll call w^as ended, and yet there was a deep feeling 
of thankfulness pervading the solemn atmosphere — 
thankfulness that any had escaped. People who had 
been but casual acquaintances now hailed each other 
with a quiet pleasure, as one who meets a familiar 
face in a strange land, and the salutation, "I am glad 
to see you alive," became common. Passing and re- 
passing each other, the same questions were asked 
over and over again, often more than once of the 
same individual, as the mind of each searcher seemed 
so much absor1)ed in the one o1:>ject of his own par- 



56 A mod:etin herculaneum. 

ticular solicitude that he noted not even the differ- 
ence in the personal appearance of others. Each one 
was addressed as perhaps another source of informa- 
tion, — perhaps one who could furnish a forlorn hope 
to the searcher. No one could comfort himself with 
the thought that his search would be rewarded when 
he came to the place where shelter would most nat- 
urally have been sought. These places, too, were 
gone, and all was blank, uncertain and confusing. 



RESCl^E AND RELIEF. 57 



CHAPTER IV. 



Rescue and Relief. 



Oh, I have passed a miserable night. 
So full of ugly sights of ghastly dreams 
That, as I am a Christian, faithful man, 
I would not spend another such a night 
Though t'were to buy a world of happy days. 

— Shakespeare 

The state of mind amon,^" the survivors of the dis- 
aster was pecuh'ar. The deafening noise had thrown 
them into a transport of fear and uncertainty. The 
sudden cessation of the din left the overwrought or- 
gans of hearing strained to catch some sound from 
the silence as vast and incomprehensible as the noise 
had been. The murmur of business and pleasure 
which lately arose from lively thoroughfares was 
hushed, and no sign of life or activity for a few mo- 
ments appeared. No familiar or homelike sounds 
suggested the old order of things. Not even the 
rustle of leaves or the flitting of birds broke the 
silence, for bird, leaf and branch were 2:one. Even 



58 A MODERN HERCULANDUM. 

the bark was stripped from l)roken stumps, leaxiii"- 
them gray and ghostly, and bearing great clods of 
earth, the roots of many were upturned to the sky. 
The darkness which had obscured our vision mav be 
likened to a curtain let fall between the acts of life's 
fretful drama, hiding from us forever the scenes of 
the past. Then a new and puzzling environment, 
unsuggested by anything gone before, is shifted to 
our view. All the perceptive faculties seemed to 
have been left groping for a landmark. It was im- 
possible to think of locations coherently, or to 
imagine where the inhabitants had been thrown, and 
as they slowly appeared they seemed unreal and 
strange. The eyes sought long for a familiar object. 
Instead of houses were meaningless mounds of refuse, 
no one distinguishable from another ; instead of 
streets were stretches of ground covered deeply with 
pieces of everything, animate and inanimate, which 
once had been a useful part of the life and belongings 
of the stricken city ; instead of the friends we knew so 
well, were wretchedly bedraggled, wet and wounded 
refugees, whom we scarcely recognized, so changed 
were they. 

Suppose A's house to be discovered on fire. We are 
startled by the alarm, and with others hasten to the 
place. We see the firemen rushing by with clang 
and clamor, and streams of water soon shoot into 
the midst of the flames. Perhaps they do not suffice 
to stay the work of destruction. Xow the pulse runs 
hioh and the excitement seems to have a tonic in- 



RESCUE AND RELIEF. 59 

fluence that causes men to do and dare in saving life 
and property. But when nothing more can be done, 
we stand and watch the progress of the fire. We 
even fall to discussing loss and insurance, and before 
the frame-work totters for its final slump, by some 
process known only to crowds in small places, the 
financial condition of the family is all figured out. 
Tt is too bad, indeed, for a family to lose the home ! 
Another may be built with the proceeds of insurance, 
but it is not the old home, endeared by its many little 
treasures and friendly nooks, party to past experi- 
ences. 

In some such way we condole with the burned- 
out family. But if not only A's, but B's and C's 
homes have been burned, the matter becomes a more 
serious one, and the three homeless families are the 
ol^jects of much sympathy and interest. Severe as 
such an occurrence would be to a small community, 
it would not be so unusual as to interfere with the 
natural play of the sympathies, or the ordinary routine 
of every-day affairs outside of the families immediately 
concerned. If even one inmate of these homes 
burned had been overtaken and unable to escape, 
how saddened would all the community have been, 
and how keenly would the horror of such a taking-off 
have been felt ! 

A hundred times multiplied, this sad event would 
not represent the horror and anguish of the people of 
New Richmond at this awful time. Here were more 
than one hundred homes destroyed ; more than one 
hundred ])eople snatched from life in one dreadful 



6o A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

moment ; two or three times as many wounded ; 
many in an utterly helpless condition ; many dazed 
and wandering ; many to be extricated ; many whose 
whereabouts were unknown for hours. Besides this, 
the entire business portion was laid flat, an unknown 
number of non-residents and strang^ers eneulfed in its 
debris, and scarcely a house left entire outside the vor- 
tex of the whirl, where destruction had been complete. 
The expression of faces seemed to settle into a sort of 
stare — a look of inquiry and yet of uncertainty, as of 
one searching for something which he would hardly 
know if he found it. Then when the cries for help 
arose each able-bodied one found himself confronted 
with such herculean tasks that the situation was ap- 
palling. During the tumultuous oncoming of the 
cloud the instinct of self-preservation had been 
aroused. When I say "self-preservation," I do not 
mean the animal self, but the human self, which is in- 
complete without the beloved ones of the family and 
the true-hearted friend. Even the stranger within 
the gates is part and parcel of the human self. When 
these many human selves went about our streets that 
night, they were not Mr. This or Air. That, or Mrs. 
or Miss Someone. They were simply human selves, 
thrown in touch with each other by a cruel destiny, 
actuated by a common impulse, and aiming at a com- 
mon object — to do whatever could be done to seek 
and save the sufifering. 

"Lord help us!" was the prayer on every hand, 
and there was a desperation in the prayer, arising as 
it did from the conviction that there were not enough 



RKSCUE AND RELIEF. 6l 

people alive to take care of the dead and injured. 
And not expecting that help would come as did the 
heavenly manna to the Israelitish children in the wil- 
derness of Sin, or as did the water from Horeb's rock, 
by a special miracle, each felt a great task person- 
ally allotted to him for an indefinite length of time. 
It was not known what the fate of Hudson had been, 
though it seemed quite^ probable that she had not 
been spared, and just what had been the case it was 
impossible to ascertain. Some hope was inspired by 
the consideration of the reports that the clouds had 
met near Boardman, and the supposition therefore 
gained ground at first that Hudson had escaped. 
Then this w^as contradicted, and it was reported that 
Hudson was certainly all gone, as someone who had 
watched the storm from its beginning was sure that, 
when he first saw it, it had just left Hudson, and 
it was a murderous looking thing. He had probably 
first seen it after it had skirted the hills south of Hud- 
son. At any rate, there seemed no doubt but 
that the additional reinforcements that struck in 
near Boardman had greatly accelerated and increased 
the furious demonstration for the benefit of New 
Richmond. It was thought that Star Prairie and 
Jewett ^lills were sufiiciently aside from the north- 
east line to be secure. This could easily be deter- 
mined, as the distance was not great. All telephonic 
and telegraphic communication had been cut off be- 
tween this and surrounding places, so nothing could 
be learned definitely in regard to the extent of dam- 
age for several hours. 



62 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

It must not be imagined that the surviving people 
were too badly dazed to be able to work, for although 
the minds of many were for a time confused, they 
seemed to be very little conscious of the body unless 
it had sustained some disabling injury. A great 
many went to work at once in a sort of mechanical 
even trance-like. way. using the muscles to an almost 
incredible extent, and enduring as the hours went on 
far beyond accustomed endurance. But so absolute 
and general was the blotting out of every conven- 
ience, and of every place where they could be ob- 
tained, and not only that, but of so many of the people 
who would under ordinary circumstances have been 
on hand to render assistance, that outside help was 
a necessity. There was abundant and urgent oppor- 
tunity for every effort put forth by those already here, 
and for such systematic assistance as afterwards 
came. 

Men went to work immediately, clearing away 
debris for some poor soul crying for assistance or 
known to be covered in the ruins. Half crazed with 
pain, some kept calling- for help, and impatiently 
urged on the workers ; but the greater number only 
called out occasionally, to make known their where- 
abouts. There was often much difficulty in locat- 
ing the victims, on account of the depth of the mass 
of brick, stone, broken plaster, lumber, etc., and sev- 
eral different places would be dug into, thus losing- 
time in the search, perhaps giving additional pain 
to the imprisoned ones. But with such haste as was 
possible, the labor went on. As fast as the injured 



RESCUB AND RELIEF. 63 

could be taken out they were placed on doors, shut- 
ters, or other improvised litters, and carried to the 
churches or schoolhouse, or other place of shelter. 
As a rule, no questions were asked of householders 
when carrying people in. It was taken for granted 
that anyone who was fortunate enough to have a roof 
over his head was willing to share it with less fortu- 
nate fellow beings. It is quite probable that some 
who were taken out died from exposure, the dark- 
ness and general confusion rendering it im])ossi1)le 
to secure means for making them comfortal)le, while 
the rain poured relentlessly upon their scantily-clad 
bodies. Night settled down early into pitchy dark- 
ness, — such a night of wandering and searching, of 
waiting and watching ! 

The electric light plant was demolished, and great 
difficulty was experienced in getting lanterns. Heaps 
of rubbish filled the streets, pitfalls and dark holes 
gouged in the earth impeded progress. Singly or in 
groups the searchers groped their way, lighted 
mostly by the flames that eagerly devoured the relics 
of our homes, the evidences of human life. The 
city water-works plant was demolished, hydrants and 
pumps twisted off, and wells filled up. No one knew 
where to look for pails, and the river banks were lined 
with a promiscuous pile of debris, making it difficult 
to get water there. 

But everything available was quickly put into 
use. Lines of men pulled at the ropes that raised some 
heavy timber or portion of a wall, and, silhouetted 
against the sky, they made an impressive picture, 



64 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

which will long remain in our minds, as we look back 
in contemplation of their heroic work. We saw the 
men surging to and fro, keeping time to the weird 
refrain of "Heav-o! Heav-o !" through the desperate 
and solemn hours of the night, and knew that under- 
neath that which they were trying to move there was 
some one whose friends were waiting, hoping or de- 
spairing : some one whose fate would soon be known. 
As soon as relatives and friends were located, as 
far as possible, every man, with but few exceptions, 
turned to the general work of rescue. Hour after 
hour they toiled, eagerly, desperately, where the fires 
were burning, throwing scraps of timber, brick or 
stone, or scraping away with the fingers the piles of 
plaster and finer dirt. ''Carefully, carefully, there : 
you know not what comes next!" To unearth such 
sights, and to witness the grief of waiting women, 
tried the strongest heart. Bravery on fields of battle 
is a matter of business. Nerves and muscles are keyed 
to the point of tension necessary to make blood and 
carnage the object desired. "Win or die!" is the 
watchword, and personal feelings are largely laid 
aside. The wives, mothers and sisters are not there 
to wake the tender side of man's nature. But on this 
sad night, women, wild with apprehension or hopeless 
grief, roamed the streets, and waited eagerly for those 
multiform graves to give up their dear ones. ]\Iaimed 
and mutilated forms, scarcely recognizable, were un- 
covered one by one. Some staggered to their feet, 
only to fall again, overcome by the suffering of the 
body or by the shock to the mind. Some walked 
out, looked around a few moments, and although, as 



RESCUE AND RELIEF. 65 

would be supposed, nearly all were wounded and 
bruised in several places, they would manao^e to ^et 
somewhere, and without help, even if they succumbed 
to their pain as soon as they reached a restino^ place. 
Many were cold in death, and some by the pitiless fire 
were bereft of clothino-, and perhaps of all sem- 
blance of their former appearance. How can we sav 
what soul inhabited this perishable clay? There is 
l)erhaps a rin^, a watch, or some trinket lyinof near. 
This is wistfully examined, in the hope of establishin"^ 
identity. Perhaps it is not possible to determine. 
There were several such instances. Circumstantial 
evidences in some cases were the only ones. 

What wonder that, after the strain was in some de- 
i^^ree lessened, men and boys who had worked steadilv 
as long- as strength held out fouo:ht desperately with 
the recollection of everv imao;-inable attitude of torture 
indelibly fixed upon the mind! What wonder that 
they tossed on sleepless pillows for many dreary 
nights ! 

One doctor, having ascertained that his own 
family were uninjured, without giving a single 
thought as to what they should eat. or drink, or 
wherewithal they should be clothed on the morrow, 
deeming it sufficient cause for thankfulness that they 
could all use their feet and their tongues, left the ruins 
of his buildings and started out to see what he could 
do for others. Doctors become accustomed to har- 
rowing sights, taken individually. But to see the be- 
loved city which had been the object of so many 
hours of labor, so many ambitious plans, such earnest 
hopes, — the dearest place on earth to him, — razed to 



66 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

the ground ; to see those who had been fellows and 
companions in the ups and downs of business, of 
pleasure, and of friendship for twenty years so sorely 
needing- aid which could not be properly rendered, 
and for which they would naturally look to him, made 
him heart-sick. To see the bleeding faces, shattered 
limbs and ragged wounds, and to realize the impossi- 
bility of even going through the form of the duties 
which would devolve upon him, was overwhelming. 
There was not one drug store of the four of which a 
timber or brick was left in place, and of as many doc- 
tors' offices not one remained entire. Two were ut- 
terly demolished, and two, though left standing in 
part, contained nothing but dirt and jumbled frag- 
ments. To find even a clean bed upon which to place 
one-half the injured was not to be expected, to say 
nothing of medical and surgical appliances. 

Together with Mr. S. S. Beebe, who was saying, 
"My poor Bertha is buried over there," he stopped to 
help take a piece of sidewalk off of Mr. Patrick Calla- 
han, who had a compound fracture of the left leg and 
the right leg dislocated from the hip, and help to 
carry him to a place of shelter. Mr. Beebe did not 
know at that time whether or not his daughter was 
alive, but she was afterwards found, considerably 
bruised, in the ruins of Patton & Carey's building. 

Coming a second time to a span of horses, dis- 
emboweled and struggling, the doctor looked around 
for some heavy object with which to put an end to 
their misery. As if thrown there for the purpose, he 
found a blacksmith's sledge, with a new handle, un- 



RESCUE AND RELIEF. 67 

broken. He examined it particularly, to make sure 
that the "instrument" was in g-ood condition, and 
used it with the desired result. Goino- the leno^th of 
Main street the doctor saw D. H. Minier standing up- 
on the ruins of Mrs. Brockbank's store. His eyes 
looked wild, and he show^ed his intense excitement, 
but he spoke sanely enough when he said: "Mrs. 
Brockbank and her children are in here. Get some- 
one to help dig them out." The doctor tried to get 
men to go there and work — spoke to several about 
it, but felt that his own work should be confined to 
doing- for the wounded : and yet the thought of this 
poor family caused him to return there to see the 
work under way. Demands began to be made upon 
him professionally, and dejected at the outlook, he 
now left this street with the idea that he would formu- 
late some plan for the care of the wounded. He 
went toward his shattered office, full of the one idea 
that a place must be found to put the injured under 
cover, at least. As he went along he saw a lap-robe 
which seemed so familiar in appearance that he picked 
it up, dragged it a little ways, and then dropped it, 
thinking: "Why do I give any attention to a thing 
like this? There is no barn to put it in, anyway." 
He says that he actually did not notice for thirty-six 
hours after this any other article lying about with any 
definiteness. One would suppose that out of the ac- 
cumulations of home, barn and office, where he had 
dw^elt continuously for two decades, there w^ould have 
appeared to him the suggestion of several familiar ar- 
ticles ; l:)ut his mind was absorbed wholly with the in- 
jured, and the difficulties which stood in the way of 



68 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

properly ministering to them. This thought seemed 
to stand out and eclipse his view as to all else. 

Some men came along carrying one whom they 
had picked up, but were at a loss where to put him. 
"What shall we do with him, doctor?" they asked. 
Looking about, he noticed that the Congregational 
church was still standine. "Take the injured to the 
Congregational church," he said. "Will that be all 
right?" they asked. "Yes," said the doctor. "You 
get in there some way, and we will put them there. 
We must have some place, and that seems to be the 
best we can do." 

So the Congregational church was turned into a 
hospital for a time. Rev. Mr. Adams was on hand 
from first to last, rendering every possible aid ; mov- 
ing seats, carrying people, and preparing as comfort- 
able a resting place as conveniences, or, rather, the 
lack of them, permitted. At first some dead had been 
l)rought to the Congregational church, so there were 
injured lying along the aisles until the seats were 
taken up, and just beside them were dead or dying. 
Later the dead were removed into the prayer room, 
and it was then thought best to have other bodies 
recovered taken to the Catholic church, and kept 
there to be identified and prepared for burial, though 
no set plan was exactly followed. 

The Catholic church was the only one of the five 
churches on the south side of the river left entire. 
This was the rendezvous to which many flocked for 
shelter, and here later there were throngs of people 
searching among that array of blackened and distorted 
forms, trying, often in vain, to find one familiar fea- 



RESCUE AND RELIEF. 69 

ture. Here Father Degnan was ever active and alert 
to assist and advise, and perform the sacred rites of 
his office. 

As the Congregational chnrch filled np, the 
schoolhonse was opened to receive the injnred, and 
from this time thronghont the entire snmmer vaca- 
tion this building was in use, first as a hospital, and 
afterwards as a relief storehouse and distributing sta- 
tion. 

Dr. Epley dispatched two young men, Mr. Wm. 
Lambdin and Mr. Mert. Frizzell, to Hudson, with in- 
structions to bring doctors and medical supplies and 
appliances, making- a list of most necessary articles. 
^Messengers were also sent to Stillwater. Then with 
the sole object in view to stop the bleeding of wounds 
and to try to save life. Dr. Epley made a house to 
house tour, giving attention only to severe and dan- 
gerous injuries, not taking the time to attend to those 
of a less serious nature. He rummaged about in the 
filthy chaos of his office, and found a grip with a few 
bandages in it, an Esmarch's tourniquet, a pair of scis- 
sors and a few antiseptic tablets. This was all that he 
could find. There wasn't a store where he could get 
cloth for bandages, in lieu of his own aseptic ones, 
which were ruined or covered up. He felt that, in 
the course which he had marked out for himself, al- 
though it might not in all cases prove satisfactory to 
the parties visited, his efforts would be productive of 
good to a greater number, and he adhered to it, lo- 
cating the nature and degree of all injuries discovered, 
and making note of them with a view to sending a 
surgeon equal to such cases when he arrived. The 



yo A MODERN HRRCULANET'M. 

Other physicians of the place. Doctors Knapp, IMx:- 
Keon and Wade, were each working untiringly, but 
it was impossible to formulate any plans in concert. 
The general disjointedness would inevitably overtake 
every effort, unless a course once marked out was 
strictly adhered to. He must set a mark, and aim at 
it steadily, who was not distracted from his way that 
night. "Oh, come with me, doctor! My husband 
has his head and his back hurt. Oh, do come!" 
"Where is he?" "Oh, we have him home now." 
''How did he get there?" "Oh, he managed to walk, 
though I don't know how he ever did it." "Well, 
you must try to do for him yourself until I can come 
or send some one." "Oh, doctor; Minnie wants you 
to see her arm. It is broken, and she is crying for 
you." "Tell her I will come as soon as I can. Where 
is she?" "At B. C. Blancher's." "Doctor, won't 
you go to Justin Hicks?" "Yes, I will." But before 
he can get there his long-time friend has passed away. 
The sympathies of the man at times almost get the up- 
per hand of the professionalism of the doctor, and he 
Jongs for a quiet spot where he can give vent to his 
pent-up feelings. But on every hand there is work, 
work ; and of so many different kinds, although all 
point to the same desired object — rescue and relief. 
Does he hear a call by the way: "Won't you help 
me find my boy?" Does he see a man stolidly toiling 
in the ruins of a home, and saying : "I have not found 
my child. He may be in this pile?" Unswerving 
fidelity to his purpose prevents his turning aside. The 
hands may not answer to the call, although the heart's 
impulse is to do so. 



RESCTTK AND RKUEF. yi 

The tour made by this doctor in visitino;- places 
where refugees were huddled together took several 
hours. In the twenty or more houses where he ascer- 
tained the nature of serious injuries, and sought to 
give temporary relief to the most urgent cases, there 
were upwards of two hundred people. Some of these 
deserving pity were simply homeless. To say ''simply" 
homeless seems cruel, as if to be homeless were a mat- 
ter to be lightly passed over. It is not the purpose 
of this sketch to make light of the homesick wander- 
ings of our people throughout the trying days that 
followed their dire calamity. But at that immediate 
moment I doubt if a bare half dozen could be found 
who were lamenting loss of home. They came along 
the streets in frightened flocks, and went in at the first 
open door, where the room had not been taken. Some 
had sustained injuries that were comparatively trifling, 
but even these, other times and circumstances would 
make of some importance. 

In the little home of Wm. Brickley were fourteen 
refugees. Among these were a young lady whose 
head was so badly injured that it was necessary to cut 
ofl^ her abundant chignon in order to locate the wound 
(to which procedure she greatly objected, but as she 
was bleeding profusely the object seemed to justify 
the means), a woman with a frightful gash in the hip 
and an injured arm, a man with an arm broken and 
his nose crushed, and a young man with both legs 
injured, one broken. Of those unable to walk, either 
because of injuries or shock, there were three lying in 
the pantry, flve in the kitchen, and others in the little 
sitting room. Here the doctor stop])e(l the bleeding, 



72 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

and noted the nature of serious injuries, and then 
passed on to others. 

At the house of Evan Kaye were a number of peo- 
ple, one or two badly injured. At Mrs. Allen's and 
E. A. Glover's there were found no flesh wounds at 
that time, though Mr. and Mrs. Dawley and others 
came in afterwards. At ^^'illiam Densmore's was 
Patrick Newell, badly injured. At A. W. Bosworth's 
was Mr. Gould, who seemed to be literally broken to 
pieces, but finally a fracture of the skull and of an 
arm were definitely located. Mrs. Gould was also 
there, hurt about the head. Mrs. Patton, with her 
child, was there, anxiously awaiting some news of her 
husband. Many long hours passed before he was un^ 
covered from the ruins. 

Somewhere on his rounds the doctor was taken in 
hand by M. P. McNally, who said: ''Doc, I want 
you to go to Walshe's to see Tom." It made no dif- 
ference whether the doctor had other plans or not 
just at that particular time, for ''Doc" is a small man 
and "Miles" a large one, with a strong grip, which 
he used on the doctor's arm to further his purpose. 
Arriving at Mr, Walshe's, a number of people were 
seen lying about with different degrees of injuries. 
Thomas McNally sat on a lounge, his head dropped 
on his breast, and covered with blood. His face was 
wounded about the nose and eyes. He had also a 
severe wound in the left breast. The doctor placed 
his ear against the man's chest, and listened to the 
heart. The conditions he found there made him quail. 
He could feel the heart beat a^rainst his face with noth- 



re:scue; and relidf. 73 

ing but the skin between, and he could hear at every 
beat the swashing of blood. Calling for a sheet the 
doctor made a wide bandage to support the chest, 
and left word for this patient to have what he wanted, 
as he could not possibly last long. 

At Mrs. Barrett's residence were several badly 
injured, — a Hopkins boy and a man named Stevens 
(injured on the head), a man with a broken ankle, 
and John Barrett, in a serious condition. Mrs. Lewis 
lay on the floor, comatose, a piece of two-by-four im- 
paled in her chest, and with a fractured skull, from 
which the substance of the brain oozed out. She 
soon passed away. At B. C. Blancher's lay this 
woman's only daughter, her arm broken, crushed and 
twisted, and a circus man with a fractured skull. Here, 
as in other places, there were minor injuries, but note 
was made of the worst only. 

At Thomas Hughes' and other places were women 
prostrated by shock, and at B. F. Powell's the Rose- 
brooks family, excepting Mr. Rosebrooks. Mrs. 
Rosebrooks lay in the front room, still feebly breath- 
ing. Miss Josephine was trying to bear her own 
bruises without complaint, in view of the greater af- 
fliction of her sister. Miss Cora expressed herself 
thankful that her parents did not linger to suffer, as 
she felt she herself might do, but bore her mortal in- 
juries with fortitude. 

At W. T. Lambdin's house there were a number 
of the injured. Mr. Lambdin had but lately been 
extricated from the ruins, considerably battered up; 
but neither he nor his family thought as much of his 



74 A MODE"RN HERCULAXErM. 

injuries as they would if their minds had been relieved 
of the weight of anxiety for the beloved eldest daugh- 
ter. "Where is she? Oh, where is Vinnie?" was 
their agonized cry. 

At the house of John Hagan lay old Mr. Earley 
longing and praving to be taken out of his misery, 
and at Timothy Donohue's a number of people, 
shockingly mutilated. One young woman had an 
indescribable wound of the scalp, and an arm broken 
many times and torn, and one (a child) had a com- 
pound fracture of the leg, the bones protruding. 

All the places mentioned, and several others, were 
visited by one doctor before the Hudson contingent 
arrived. 

I have detailed in part the work of one physician, 
simply for the purpose of giving an idea of what there 
was to do. I should have been pleased to have oiven 
as exact information regarding the work of other phy- 
sicians that night, but have been unable to secure it. 
What I have stated was told me in fragments by par- 
ties other than the physician himself, except in the 
case of Mr. Thomas McNally. I am happy to state 
that Mr. McNally made a marvelous recovery. 



COME AND HE:LP US. 



75 



<:hapter V. 



"Come and Help Us!" 



"Am I not man and a brother?" 

About fifteen minutes after the storm, having got 
out of the Kaye drug store, Mr. WaUer Beebe says 
that he was asked if his team was all right. He sup- 
posed they were. ''Then, for God's sake," said his 
questioner, "go somewhere and telegraph for help." 
"Where shall I go?" asked Mr. Beebe. "Anywhere, 
where you can telegraph," was the rejoinder. So Mr. 
Beebe hitched up his team, and making his way over 
fallen trees and a mixture of things in the yard, he 
saw that the road leading directly south appeared the 
freest from obstruction, and judged from the axis of 
the storm that Roberts would be the most readily ac- 
cessible of any of the neighboring places. So he drove 
directly to the telegraph station at Roberts, and from 
there sent out the messages which first informed the 
eastern part of our state of what had taken place, and 
thus, via Marshfield and Stevens Point, they received 
the news which led to sending the first relief train on 
the Wisconsin Central Railroad. 



76 A MODERN HERCULANDUM. 

Messrs. Lambdin and Frissell reached Hudson 
about ten o'clock, driving by way of Bass lake, on ac- 
count of the Lewis bridge having been carried away. 
Such a drive as theirs would of itself make a thrilling 
tale. They braved discomforts and dangers the more 
distracting because the exact conditions could not be 
ascertained beforehand. Fallen trees, washouts, swol- 
len streams, torrents of rain, hampering wind arid 
Stygian darkness, with every nerve strained to its ut- 
termost by the horror of the situation, made a com- 
bination calling for courage and determination. But 
they were equal to the task, and when they drove up 
to the sidewalk in front of the drug store where Dr. 
King was standing (having returned from Matteson' s 
place but a short time before), their appearance, as 
they presented themselves to him, pale and trembling 
with excitement and fatigue, showed plainly that they 
had fought a great battle with odds that were against 
them. 

About this time, also, arrived ^Ir. Byron Bur- 
rows of Boardman, who had braved the perils of the 
trip alone. He says: "AVe were just ready to sit 
down to supper when my brother looked out and 
said: 'Just look at those clouds ! That's a cyclone.' 
We watched it for a minute or two, and seeing that it 
was coming straight for us, we all started for the cel- 
lar. In about two or three minutes from the time 
we went into the cellar the storm had passed, leaving 
the house still standing, though badly damaged. 
When we came out and looked around, we saw that 
Spencer's place, just above us, was all swept away, 



COME AND HELP US. 77 

and thought, of course, they were all hurt or killed. 
My brother and I each took a horse and hurried up 
there, and found that the family of six had miracu- 
lously escaped. The Hurd place, just above Spen- 
cer's, had been destroyed, so we rode up there. I 
reached there first, and asked William Wears, who 
was standing in the yard, if anyone was hurt there, 
and he said: 'My God! there's a man dead under 
that pile of stuff, and my little girl is gone. I don't 
know where.' I jumped off the horse, and looked 
under the pile of wood and trees, and saw a man with 
his head all mashed and cut. I started to pull the 
wood off him, when, looking around, I saw Air. 
W^ears' little boy standing there with his head cut and 
bleeding, so I said: 'I had better go to New Rich- 
mond for a doctor.' So I jumped on the horse again, 
and started for Xew Richmond. About this time it 
commenced to rain and blow so hard that I could 
hardly sit on the horse's back. \Mien I got to New 
Richmond I found the city in ruins. The first person 
I saw was Mr. T. Rowe. I asked him if any of his 
people were hurt, and he said : "Sly wife lies there 
dead.' He said I could be of no assistance to him, so 
I went to the cellar of Mr. Phillips, as I saw some 
women going in that direction. When I got there ] 
found two women and a man there. The man's head 
was hurt, but not badly, and the two women were 
very much frightened, though not hurt. Thev 
wanted me to take them out of the cellar and into the 
house. They didn't seem to know that their house, as 



78 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

well as all the houses around them, had been de- 
stroyed. As they were not hurt, and were in a safe 
place, I got them some blankets, and then went to 
see if I could help elsewhere. 

"I went to the home of A. R. Kibbe, which was 
left standing, though in bad shape. I was just going 
away when someone commenced calling for help from 
the cellar of Mr. Casey's house, which had stood op- 
posite Kibbe's. Two or three men and myself ran 
over there, and asked who it was, and if they were 
hurt. They said they were not hurt, and their names 
were Mrs. Cullen and Mrs. Casey. A couple of men 
said they would help them out of the cellar, and for 
the rest of us to go and help others who might need 
assistance. A young man by the name of Early said 
he didn't know where his mother was, but thought 
perhaps she was at the home of Grant Boardman, 
which is only a short distance from Early's. We 
went to Boardman's, and the first person I saw was 
my aunt, Mrs. A. W. Brown. She said her husband 
had gone down town just a few minutes before the 
storm, and had not come back since. She wanted 
me to go and see if I could find him, so I started down 
town. When I got there a horrible sight met my 
eyes. Men, women and children were there. Some 
were looking for friends who might be hurt ; others 
were carrying those who were hurt and not able to 
walk to places of safety. Horses were lying all about, 
many horribly mangled. Dr. Ei:>ley was doing all 
he could for those who were hurt. 



COME AND HELP US. 79 

''Seeing someone going through a window into 
the basement of Bell & Smith's meat market, I went 
over there. Mr. Bell was standing by the window. 
He told me to go in and see if I could find anyone in 
there that was hurt, so I went in. Irvin Frissell was 
there, with a lantern. I asked who he was looking 
for. He said for Sam Horn. I told him I had seen 
him, and he was not hurt. We then looked around, 
and not seeing or hearing anyone in there, went out 
again. We went up to where Mrs. Aldrich's drug 
store had been. We saw a man lying in the street 
dead. I think it was Charles Berce. We heard some 
one talking and went towards the sound. Someone 
said: 'For God's sake, give us the lantern. Harry 
Smith is in here with his arm pinned down.' We gave 
them the lantern, and commenced to help dig him 
out. The ruins of the building were on fire, and it 
kept creeping nearer and nearer to where Mr. Smith 
lay. But by hard work he was gotten out before the 
fire reached him. After he had been taken out I 
heard Mr. Baker say he wished that they could send 
word to Hudson and St. Paul for help. I told him 
I thought word could be sent from Boardman. He 
said to take any horse I could get, and go to Board- 
man as quick as I could. As my own horse had been 
ridden five miles already, I thought I could make bet- 
ter time by taking another horse. I saw a pair of 
broncos standing in the street, so caught one of them, 
got on its back and started. But it couldn't or 
wouldn't go ofif a walk, so I jumped off and ran to 



8o A MODERN HKRCULANEUM. 

where I had left my own horse, got on his back, and 
started for Boardman as fast as the horse could go. 
When I got there I found that the depot had been 
destroyed by the cyclone. I got another horse, as 
mine was completely played out, and started for Burk- 
hardt, about seven miles from Boardman. About 
two miles below Boardman the road was obstructed 
by fallen trees and wires, but by jumping the horse 
over some and leading him around others of the trees 
and wires I got to the Lewis bridge only to find that 
the cyclone had swept it away. I tied the horse, 
crawled out on a tree that had fallen over into the 
river, got hold of one of the spans of the bridge, and 
crossed, hand over hand, to the other side. I then 
ran to the Lewis house to see if I could get a horse 
there : but their horses had been hurt, so I could get 
none. They said Mrs. Hefifron was there, dead. She 
was the cyclone's first victim, and was killed at her 
home a short distance from Lewis'. I ran to Tobin's, 
about a half mile from Lewis', where I found Scott 
Tobin, with a horse hitched up. I told him I wanted 
to get to Burkhardt as quick as possible, and he 
said he would take me. 

"When we got to Burkhardt the operator was not 
at the depot, so we had to look him up. We found 
him after about an hour's search, at the home of "fulius 
Beers, about a mile from the depot. Beers' barn was 
destroyed by the storm. AMien the operator tried the 
wires he found that all were down but one to St. Paul. 
I had him send a message to that city, asking that a 




COTTONWOOD SHADE TKEES DENUDED OF BARK. 




RESCUE WORK. 



COME AND HELP US. 8 1 

Special train with all the medical aid and medical sup- 
plies possible be sent to New Richmond immediately, 
and for the train to stop at Hudson to get more help 
there. The message was sent to St. Paul at 9 :io. 

"I asked if there was anyone who would give me 
a horse, or take me to Hudson. A gentleman by the 
name of McDermott said he would hitch up and take 
me down. While he was hitching up, his wife got 
me a dry coat and shirt. The clothes I had on were 
soaked, as I had been out in all the rain since the cy- 
clone, and I had begun to get pretty well chilled. 

''When Mr. McDermott and I .i2:ot to Hudson we 
went to Johnson's livery barn. The first person I 
saw there was Will Thompson, who had just heard of 
the terrible storm at New Richmond, news of the 
storm having been telegraphed back to Hudson from 
St. Paul. Will Lambdin and Mert Frissell got to 
Hudson just about the same time I did. They had 
driven down, coming around by Bass lake. Several 
rigs were got ready at once to take doctors and medi- 
cines to New Richmond. I returned with the teams. 
When we got to my home I stopped, and my father 
went on to New Richmond in my place." 

We will now return to Messrs. Lambdin and Fris- 
sell. 

Briefly they told the story of the destruction of 
New Richmond ; of the death and suffering and 
homelessness of the people; of the need of medical 
and surgical supplies and appliances, and physicians. 
None knew better than the doctors what the ride had 



82 A mudf;rn herculaneum. 

been for these young men, for the fire bells had rung 
at Hudson to call together relief for the people of 
Hudson Prairie, and several, teams had been out in the 
country, but finding no injured had returned with an 
uncomfortable recollection of the bucketfuls (some 
even declared barrelfuLs) of water that were dashed 
into the carriages when going through the "coulee." 
Doctors and druggists beean active preparations 
for the journey bv team, as it was reported impos- 
sible to make the trip bv rail, on account of washouts 
alono- the line. Five carriages, headed by Otis King 
on horseback, carrying a bull's-eye lantern, set forth 
into the night and darkness. Having a good horse 
under him, and a sister at New Richmond, from whom 
he had not heard definitely since the tornado, it will 
not be doubted wdien I sav that Otis showed the spirit 
of a man who dared whenever and wherever to dare 
was to traverse the wav before him, whether a muddy 
road or a brawling stream, up to the saddle's g-irth ; 
now standing with lieht turned on the dangerous spot 
until the cavalcade filed past, then pushing ahead, on 
the lookout for the next washout or obstructing tree. 
All were impatient for the journey's end, wishing, yet 
dreading, to prove the startling reports which had 
been brought to them. The reddened sky guided 
them above, but splashing mud, varied only in places 
by being more deep than the general deepness, re- 
tarded their wheels and vexed their spirits. 

Reaching Webster's Corner, they were obliged to 
leave the carriages and proceed on foot, on account of 
the impassal)ility of the streets. In the words of one 
of the party: "Pushing our way through scenes of 



COMK AND HEI^P US. 83 

amazing ruin and destruction to the churches and 
schoolhouses, we joined the work of relief. The ex- 
periences of this night were so shocking, the sights 
that greeted us so sad, that I am sure many of our 
Httle party will carry the remembrance of them 
through life." These physicians were among the first 
to report for duty from out of town, preceded perhaps 
only by Dr. Alelbv of Roberts and Dr. Boothby of 
Hammond. Dr. Melby was here at six o'clock. Dr. 
Boothby had learned of the disaster by telegram from 
Roberts, and had hastened hither as rapidly as pos- 
sible by team. Dr. Watson also drove from Roberts, 
and was probably the first physician from out of town 
to reach New Richmond. A consultation was held at 
the Congregational church, in regard to the disposi- 
tion of the injured gathered there. They were lying 
about for the most part upon the floor. Some mat- 
tresses and bedding had been sent in by Mr. John E. 
Glover, from his country home at Gloverdale, and 
some also from the county asylum ; but little besides 
this was procurable. Dr. Johnson's plan, — to put the 
church in shape for a hospital, — would under ordi- 
nary circumstances have been an excellent one. But 
there were objections urged by the doctor who had, in 
his rounds, seen the awful magnitude of the calamity, 
and the extremely dirty condition of everything, on 
account of the filthy mud, which had been plastered 
upon every surface and forced into every crevice. He 
believed that any building which had stood so near the 
line of destruction, or even partially in it, would be 
unsanitary to the last degree. This the relief party 
had not seen, having gone directly to the church. 



84 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

The wounds were in every conceivable part of the 
l)ody, being- most complex and characteristic, having 
been made by missiles of every size and description, 
from huge timbers and rocks to infinitesimal grains 
of sand hurled with such force as to be driven into 
polished glass. They were in almost every case 
bruised and lacerated, and driven full of foreign sub- 
stances and filth of every kind, making them unavoid- 
ably complicated and suppurating. It was this fea- 
ture that caused the decision that so large a number 
of injured could not receive proper care outside the 
w'ards of a well-appointed hospital. \Miat, then, 
should be done? It was taken for granted that the 
hospitals of St. Paul w^ould be open for us in this 
emergency, even before the invitation came urging 
us to send our injured there. Mattresses and cots 
could not be obtained in New Richmond. There 
were neither materials nor w^orkmen, nor any build- 
ing where such articles could be made. Dr. Johnson, 
having had some experience in railroad wrecks, sug- 
gested that someone should go to the proper railroad 
officials, and secure cots and mattresses from them. 
Then the question arose : "What number shall we 
ask for?" Dr. Johnson thought fifty, and Dr. Epley 
thought tw4ce as many. Then they decided to send 
for seventy-five, and more, if necessary. And the next 
question : "Who will go?" found as quick a solution. 
Mr. O. W. Masher agreed to undertake the commis- 
sion, in response to the doctors' request, and he was 
also furnished with a list of necessary appliances to be 
obtained from Noyes Bros. & Cutler. 



come: and he:lp us. 85 

Immediately after the cyclone had passed tele- 
grams to be sent began to pour into the Wisconsin 
Central depot — the only telegraph station, as that at 
the Omaha depot had been destroyed. As has been 
stated, there was no telegraphic communication with 
the outside world, the lines being utterly demoralized. 
Fred Cummer and others boarded a hand car and ran 
out toward St. Paul, to meet the Wisconsin Central 
train, due here at five minutes past nine in the even- 
ing. They signaled the train, and it stopped for them 
about seven miles west of New Richmond station. 
Train officials were informed of the state of the tracks 
and the condition of things at New Richmond. It is 
said that these usually fastidious young men had not 
seen a place where they could wash and fix up since 
the cyclone, even if they had thought of doing so. 
First trailing over the ruins looking for their relatives, 
and then thinking of the obstructions on the track, 
they made arrangements to set out. The first person 
Fred met on the train was '']m' O'Brien, the 
whilom big policeman of our city. "What's the 
matter?" was his question, as he judged from their 
stopping the train, as well as by the wild light in their 
eyes, and generally disheveled appearance that they 
were the bearers of important news. "We've had a 
big cyclone," they answered. Then Mr. O'Brien 
asked : "Is any of my property destroyed?" "Well, 
I should say!" was Fred's laconic but expressive re- 
ply. Half an hour later, as Mr. O'Brien traversed his 
premises, he was thinking not of property, but of 
people. 



86 A MODERN HERCULANE:UM. 

It was hoped that this train would run back to St. 
Paul for relief. But it was a regular passenger train, 
and continued on its way, after a delay of an hour or 
two to clear the track, carrying information gathered 
up to points east and south. Mr. Kuhn, agent of the 
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad, 
boarded this train to go to Jewett Mills, or as far as 
necessary to send dispatches. Mr. Kuhn's depot be- 
ing gone, it seemed that he could better be spared 
just then than Mr. Cummer, agent of the Wisconsin 
Central. The telegraph line was available at Jewett 
Mills, and the dispatches were sent, containing such 
brief details of disaster as it had been possible to 
learn. Later Division Superintendent Horn of the 
Wisconsin Central, sent the following telegram to 
Milwaukee : 

''Stevens Point, Wis., June 12. — It commenced to 
rain on St. Paul division about *7 this evening, and 
the wires went down west of Jewett Mills about */ :30 
p. m. At 8 :45 we got a message from Roberts, on 
the Omaha, via Marshfield, that a cyclone had struck 
New Richmond about ^7:30, killing and wounding 
from 250 to 500 people. We have started a special 
out from Ervine, leaving at 10 o'clock, with surgeons, 
and to pick up what other surgeons they can between 
there and New Richmond ; also sent section men from 
Jewett Mills with what help they can carry on their 
cars. I will leave here on a special as soon as I can 
get a crew out, and will take all assistance I can get 
in the way of surgeons. Am trying to get St. Paul 
to start a special from there." 

*Note the error in time. 



COME AND HELP US. 87 

A later message contained the information that 
Dr. Eplev had had both legs broken, and that Dr. 
Wade was killed. Thus it appeared that we had been 
deprived of the services of two of our physicians at 
a time when their services were oreatly needed. This 
proved incorrect, but gained consideral)le currency 
before it was contradicted. I have not been able to 
find out how the mistake occurred. Neither of these 
doctors sustained any injuries, but were able to attend 
to the many duties devolving- upon them. Dr. Wade 
was out of town at the time of the disaster, driving 
in shortly afterwards. Dr. Epley was at his place of 
residence, in the cellar with his family, and started out 
immediately to care for the injured. So there was no 
foundation whatever for the report. This is, how- 
ever, the only instance which has come to my notice 
where the rumor was worse than the realitv. The 
special from Ervine took Mr. Kuhn back to New 
Richmond, arriving- at half-past one, and brought the 
first relay of surg-eons and nurses from Eau Claire, 
Chippewa Falls and Glenw^ood. Another special ar- 
rived on this line at half-past two, l)ringing additional 
helpers. About this time, also, Mr. Kuhn went down 
to the place where his depot had been, to meet a spe- 
cial train from St. Paul, having on board surgeons 
and nurses in charge of Dr. Knox Bacon, reporters, 
and others interested in New Richmond's fate and 
people, and such supplies as could be hastily collected. 
General Superintendent J. C. Stuart was in charge, 
having just come in from a round-trip to Mankato 



88 A MODERN HKRCULANEUM. 

when the special was being made up. The passengers 
left the train on the w^est side of the washout, between 
Hudson and North Wisconsin Junction, crossed the 
ditch on a plank, and took a train which was on the 
main line at the junction, unable to proceed further 
west, and which brought the passengers through to 
New Richmond. 

Mr. Mosher left the church, expecting to take a 
train on the Wisconsin Central, but as he neared the 
Omaha track he saw the headlight of an engine com- 
ing towards him, and waited until it stopped. He 
saw Mr. Stuart get off, w^ent to him, and spoke with 
him about the proposed trip for aid. Mr. Stuart 
wrote a letter which was addressed to any conducter 
on the line, telling them to carry Mr. Mosher on any 
train to and from St. Paul, as needed. Mr. Mosher 
got ofif at Hudson, and telegraphed Mayor Kiefer 
and Chief of Police Goss of St. Paul that New Rich- 
mond had been blown down and the ruins were burn- 
ing, and asked that fire engines and a detachment of 
policemen be sent. He also telegraphed Noyes Bros. 
& Cutler to open their stores. He arrived at St. Paul 
at five o'clock in the morning, going first to the places 
wiiich he expected to find open. Not finding them 
open, with vigorous raps and kicks he waked the 
echoes along the streets of the city until he aroused a 
policeman. He then drove to the residence of Mr. 
Noyes, and aroused a young man, a nephew of Mr. 
Noyes. Mr. Noyes was then awakened, and together 
with another gentleman, they went to the store and 



COME AND HELP US. 89 

selected and sent out on the earliest train a quantity 
of medical and surs^ical appliances. Mr. Mosher then 
went to the Union Mattress Factory, where he se- 
cured seventy-five each of mattresses and cots. The 
fire eng-ines and hose carts were loaded on flat cars 
when he reached the station, and at eight o'clock 
arrived in New Richmond. It semed quite as natural 
for St. Paul to respond to our requests as for us to 
make them.. Her great heart seemed to thrill with 
sympathy, and the warm impulse of generosity tingled 
to the finger tips, causing the citizens to open their 
purse strings and deal out munificently. With St. 
Paul as with near cities in our own state, proximity 
seemed to promote interest, though all were not 
equally well able to consummate what their hearts 
might prompt them to do. But very early in the 
morning of the 13th, mention was made of cities eager 
to add their share to help the suffering and destitute. 
And as the extreme need became known later, in our 
own more distant communities there was great ac- 
tivity manifested in our behalf. It had at first been 
thought that reports were exaggerated, but this 
soon gave way to a realization of the true nature of 
the calamity. 

Meanwhile the work of attending to the injured 
was going on, and as the surgeons, from Eau Claire, 
Chippewa Falls, St. Paul, Stillwater and other places, 
reported for duty, men and boys, who held themselves 
in readiness at the churches for this service, conducted 
them to the various places where there was work for 



go A MODERN HKRCULANEUM. 

them to do. Another tour was also necessary to in- 
form and prepare, and in many cases to uro'e upon, 
patients the advisabihty of their g'oing, or Ijeing 
taken, to the hospitals in the near cities, out of the 
confusion and unwholesomeness which prevailed 
here. Some shed tears at the thought of going to a 
strange place; some objected on account of the sup- 
posed expense knowing they had lost all their prop- 
erty. One little girl was heard to say: "But, mam- 
ma ; you know I haven't a single thing to wear except 
these dirty clothes that I have had on all the time. 
Everything else went ofif with the house." Borrowed 
garments here and there were put to use, and some de- 
gree of fitness secured, but most of these poor 
creatures were obliged to keep on the same, torn, 
soiled and soaked garments which they had worn the 
night before. One poor lady (Mrs. McClure) was 
not discovered until some time in the forenoon of 
Tuesday, and had been subjected both to the rain and 
the sun (which shone at intervals), and being unable 
to move, could do nothing but wait for the rescuers 
to get to her. 

The majority of those able to understand were 
finally convinced that the plan to remove the injured 
to the city hospitals was the best, under the circum- 
stances, though it was a sad going away for all, and 
there was still much uncertainty as to the fate of many 
related to them. They were, however, spared the 
harrowing sights that would otherwise have come 
somewhat to their notice. The stories of our expe- 
riences came so naturally to our lips that it was won- 



COME AND HELP US. 9 1 

dered at, and indeed we wonder at it ourselves in 
looking back. But we seemed not to be talking 
about ourselves, but of some horrible panorama which 
we had seen. 



92 A MOD^EEN HERCULANEUM, 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Days After the Tornado. 



''Confusion now hath made his masterpiece." 

— Shakespeare. 

Few people in New Richmond had slept during 
Monday night, and many were weary with toil, fright 
and anxiety. Then, as the morning dawned, the 
great havoc of the night before showed more plainly. 
It was no dream to vanish when the light came on. 
There lay the gray heaps, stretching out drearily be- 
fore us. Here fires were still burning, and spreading 
in places, notwithstanding the abundance of rain 
which had fallen ; there men were still working, still 
wearily timing the haul on the ropes with, "Heave-o ! 
Heave-o!" anxiously watched by those whose only 
knowledge of the fate of some loved one was 
summed up in the one word "Missing." Along the 
rim of the totally destroyed portion, were the hulks 
of buildings plainl}^ marking the limit of the deadly 
wheels in their course, all showing the same gray, 
muddy color, and ofifering an uninviting shelter, 
promising but little more comfort than the soggy sky 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. 



93 



overhead. All degrees of minor damages were re- 
vealed in the outskirts, where in some cases ells or 
entire buildings had been moved several inches on 
their foundations and set down awry by the violent 
suction of the whirling clouds. Chimneys were 
thrown down, shingles torn off, and roofs and win- 
dows broken by heavy timbers thrown off from the 
boiling mass with great force. 

Mrs. F. J. Smith relates how she was so occupied 
in various ways, — moving her household goods into 
the front part of her house, in the endeavor to keep 
them from the water that came in through the broken 
roof; attending to her son, who had come home 
bruised and exhausted; providing resting places for 
an elderly man and w^oman, and the Goheen girls, 
whose parents had not been found, and answering 
various inquiries during the night, — that she was not 
aware that the roof to her kitchen and a new barn 
back of the house had been destroyed until morning, 
when she went to prepare breakfast. Along the 
streets were seen different articles of household goods 
in various stages of disintegration ; masses of 
branches broken from trees, tangled up with electric 
and telephone wire; bed springs, wagons, pillows, 
clothing and snarles of hair from mattresses and fur- 
niture. The ground was covered deeply with car- 
loads of slivers, so small that one might hold a dozen 
of them in the hand, and mingled with these were 
timbers of every imaginable size and shape, up to 
twelve by twelve pieces, twenty feet long, the sup- 



94 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

ports of the water tank, poles fifty feet long, lifted 
from a depth of seven feet in the ground, and entire 
trees torn up by the roots and tossed aside. Occa- 
sional jagged, broken and barkless stumps flaunted 
strips of quilts or garments, or bore wads of tin-roof- 
ing, lodged there in their flight through the air. 
Closer examination revealed numberless bits of iron 
and wood, and, more marvelous yet, bits of grass and 
straw thrust into wooden surfaces with such force as 
to be inextricable. A sulphurous odor still filled the 
air. The gray horizon, unrelieved by the outlines 
of various objects which we were wont to see, joined 
the gray of the landscape. "Blank and strange,'' one 
felt like saying. Even the faces of the people, wearing 
still the strained expression of the night before, looked 
gray and unnatural, and of them, too, one felt like 
saying: "Blank and strange." To those, also whose 
families had been so rudely taken from them, whose 
homes had been broken up, and whose business pros- 
pects had been ruined, life wore a somber hue, and the 
outlook was "blank and strange." 

Early in the morning a number of well-dressed 
strangers, who had come in during the night, were 
strolling about, their appearance in marked contrast 
to that of the disheveled, soiled and ragged inhabi- 
tants, who had not the wherewith to make themselves 
presentable. Later in the day the number of these 
strangers increased to hundreds. A stream of wagons 
began to arrive early from the surrounding country. 
A lady who came from Hammond states that the 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. 95 

procession extended as far ahead of her as she could 
see. The occupants of these wagons were full of 
anxiety and conjecture for the friends of whose hos- 
pitality they had recently partaken. Some of them 
had been aroused from their sluml^ers by white-faced 
messengers, who brought the news that neighbors 
were among the missing. Coming to the disorderly 
mass of materials strewn about, they could hardly be- 
lieve that this was the site of the prosperous little city 
of yesterday. Women stood up in their carriages to 
search for homes which had been familiar to them, 
and some fell back screaming or fainting at the sights 
they saw. If they met an acquaintance with a thank- 
ful cry of greeting, they spoke as if to one re- 
turned from the other world. The wonder expressed 
was that anv had survived in the midst of such de- 
struction. Then the most natural questions ensued : 
"Were any of your family injured?" Alas! "Yes," 
was too often the reply. "In a moment, — in the 
twinkling of an eye, — all was changed. We were 
seated around our table, a happy, unbroken family, 
or w^ere only waiting for the belated ones to complete 
the circle, when, alarmed by the noise, we had but 
time to get below when darkness came and it seemed 
as if all our past lives had vanished just as a puff of 
steam melts away mysteriously, and is gone. When 
again restored to the light of day, it seemed as if we 
saw a new heaven and a new earth, and that all we 
once knew had passed away." "Your home was de- 
stroyed." "Yes. It was the result of years of labor. 



96 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Some things money can replace, but others no money 
can restore. These are the pictures of my children 
when they were small, and those of my old friends 
now gone. They cannot be replaced. The picture 
gallery is destroyed, so I cannot hope that the plates 
are preserved. Business is gone, and it does not seem 
probable that the place will ever be built up again. 
My first impulse was to run away from here. It 
seemed as if the place would always look desolate. 
But I could not go. I knew no other place where 1 
could make a living. Now I don't want to go. There 
are so many old friends in trouble. It would not be 
right to leave them. So I am picking up trying to 
find out what I have." There was little time for re- 
pining. If one had nothing to do for himself, he 
could see something to do for others all about him. 
The early St. Paul trains brought, besides the fire 
engines, hosecarts and crews, policemen and supplies 
asked for, a quantity of dry goods and bedding from 
the Jobbers' Union ; also groceries, food supplies and 
hardware. It made my tears flow freely enough when 
I read, many weeks afterward, in the columns of a 
paper published the morning following the disaster, 
how these merchants and jobbers had loaded carts 
with everything their houses afforded, and piled sup- 
plies into the waiting cabooses, while people with 
anxious and grief-stricken faces repeated to each 
other: ''Is it for our Wisconsin neighbors. They 
are in great trouble." Once, indeed, we can say, we 
belonged to the great army of the poor, although 




SFXOND STREET—PRINCIPAL BUSINESS STREET DURING THE SUMMER 

OF 1899. 




FRANK HARDING, CENTER FOREGROUND. CAPTAIN OF COFFEE BRU.ADE. 



the: days after the tornado. 97 

when these friends came to us and wept for us we 
did not exactly reahze it. While they, in the midst of 
their plenty opened a supply house, to which came 
men, women and children, each adding a share, which 
was sorted and cleaned and repaired for New Rich- 
mond tornado sufferers, we were sitting here in our 
ruins, horrified and dejected. They came and clothed 
us, and bade us look up again and hope.. 

There came also on the early train a number of 
public and railroad officials, Chief of Police Goss, Dr. 
J. W. McDonald, surgeon Wisconsin Central Rail- 
road, other physicians and nurses from Minneapolis, 
and those interested people who were able to secure 
passage. Owing to the crowds which seemed deter- 
mined to visit the ruined city, it had seemed important 
to the railroad officials to guard against too great a 
number of curious and adventurous sightseers. Some 
ladies offered their services as nurses in order to get 
a chance to look after relatives. 

A caboose was attached at Hudson containing a 
number of friends bent on errands of mercy and relief. 
Evidences of the destructive force of the storm were 
visible along the track, from Hudson across the prai- 
rie, and were commented upon with interest by the 
passengers. In places could be seen lines of trees, 
bent and twisted or uprooted, buildings demolished, 
dead horses and wrecked machinery. But when the 
train pulled into the southern limit of New Richmond 
a silence fell upon all ; then, in subdued tones, ques- 
tions now and then were asked: "What place was 
that?" "Where is Main street?" There was so little 



98 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

left to indicate familiar localities that all felt lost and 
filled with dismay. 

After mattresses and cots had been distributed little 
companies of friends were seen carrying their unfortu- 
nate ones to the cars, and turning them over to the 
care of our o'ood neighboring* state. There were 
many pathetic partings, but to those who were able 
to understand the condition of things it was reassur- 
ing to know that friends and sympathetic strangers 
were willing and ready to look out for them and pro- 
vide them with a much needed resting place, where 
there was no lack of conveniences to aid them in their 
recovery. For those who were too painfully hurt to 
notice, everv means obtainable were used to make 
them comfortable. The first train carried thirty-two 
injured ; the second one the same day carried eight ; 
and on succeeding days others to the number of sev- 
enty were carried either to the hospitals of St. Paul 
and Minneapolis or to Stillwater, Hudson and other 
near places. These were not one-half the injured. 
Many remained here to make a slow recovery or to 
yield to their inevitable fate. The lesser injured were 
at work about the streets, many with bandaged heads, 
hands, etc. As the hospital trains pulled into the 
Union Depot at St. Paul they were met by a quiet 
yet eager crowd. Many were expecting friends and 
relatives. City officials, physicians and the Avhole 
corps of janitors from the city and county buildings 
were on hand to render all possible assistance. Patrol 
wagons and ambulances were in readiness, and hospi- 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. gg 

tal attendants in waiting, that there might be great 
expedition in getting the patients into the various hos- 
pitals. A solemn Imsh fell on the crowd as the cots 
were taken off, and hats were lifted a« they were car- 
ried by. One boy died before the train reached North 
Wisconsin Junction, and he was taken back. One 
young man passed away just as he was taken from the 
train, — just as his father who accompanied him had 
said to the attendants: "Handle him gently; he is 
my son." It was a hard blow, coming after the jour- 
ney that had been undertaken with some hope. Al- 
though heartbroken and comfortless, in the midst of 
a crowd of weeping strangers, may it not be that, in 
years to come, it will afford some solace to that father 
to reflect upon the manifestation of the sympathy 
which showed how strong is the great tie of humanity. 
There were left in New Richmond, after the train- 
had departed carrying the injured, those who turned 
and went to the place where home had once been : 
where they had once rejoiced to come in sight of the 
many familiar objects that made it home to them, 
where happy faces were wont to smile them greeting. 
But, now, why did they return there? It was from 
habit, perhaps ; certainly not for comfort. They be- 
gan to peer and pick about with the forlorn hope of 
finding some memento of their former life. What a 
far-away time that now appeared, and what a dark 
barrier seemed to separate them from it ! They no- 
ticed others peering and picking about like them- 
selves. Perhaps they recognized a neighbor; perhaps 



lOO A MODERN ITERCULANEUM. 

they noticed that some of them were people they 
had never seen before. There was Httle to be found 
to aid in reestabhshing a home. They saw a few ar- 
ticles; some were familiar, others were not. "What 
can be done with them, anyway? They are badly 
damaged, and so soiled we could not take them to 
our friend's house where we are stopping," one was 
heard to say. It was but a fruitless and half-hearted 
task. The appearance of everything was sickening. 
And vet, hour after hour, people were seen swarming 
over the ruins, peering and picking. Some were the 
rip-htful owners: some were not. 

While the doctors were occupied with the care of 
the injured, adopting temporary measures for those 
who were to be taken away, and giving systematic 
attention to all as fast as possible, other citizens were 
discussing ways and means of securing and distribut- 
ing relief. A local committee was named by a few 
citizens in an informal meeting. Assemblyman 
Mosher was made chairman of a local finance com- 
mittee, further consisting of Messrs. M. S. Bell, B. J. 
Price of Hudson, and T. Wears, mayor. All money 
contributions were to be deposited in the First Na- 
tional Bank of Hudson, both banks in this place hav- 
ing been destroyed. This committee chose such as- 
sistants as seemed to be necessary. 

Congressman John J. Jenkins of the Tenth dis- 
trict, Avho had come up from Chippewa Falls, sent 
the following telegram : 

"New Richmond, Wis.. June 13. — To Gov. Sco- 
field, Madison, Wis. : New Richmond practically 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. lOI 

wiped out by storm. Every business building and 
contents, over half of the dwelhng houses and con- 
tents total loss ; many other dwelling houses and con- 
tents badly injured; loo wounded; 40 dead bodies; 
many missing; ruins burning; local people making 
heroic efforts, and giving freely what little they have 
left. They can be sheltered short time, but with few 
exceptions have no food or clothing; not an article 
of goods, wares or merchandise left. By noon there 
will not be a mouthful to eat. Must have immediate 
relief. Will require aid for some time. Not a coffin 
or article to bury the dead. Practically destitution 
prevails. Will you notify the public, and ask that 
some aid be forwarded as soon as possible? 

'7OHN J. JENKINS." 

Later, the following, by Assemblyman O. W. 
Mosher, was sent: 

"Hudson, Wis., June 13. — Gov. Scofield, Madi- 
son, Wis. : Last evening the entire business portion 
of New Richmond was destroyed by a cyclone. We 
have absolutely not a store or business house of any 
kind standing, except the grain elevator and one steel 
hotel on the north side of town. The water tower 
is blown down, the power house for electric light and 
water-works station leveled to the ground. Probably 
100 people are killed and many more are seriously in- 
jured. Our merchants' stocks of goods are all de- 
stroyed, and the most of them financially ruined ; im- 
mediate necessities are supplied, but there is a need 
for a contribution of money to aid many who have 



I02 A MODT-RN HKRCULANEUM. 

lost their all. Personally, my family are uninjured, 
and I have a roof, but hundreds are wrecked. 

"O. W. MOSHER." 

Cooked food had been sent up from Hudson early 
in the mornino-, and L. A. Baker, cashier of the ]\Ian- 
ufacturers Bank, having- turned his residence over to 
the relief conmiittee for their use as headquarters, a 
commissary department was set up, under the able 
management of Mr. F. D. Harding of Hudson, who, 
with his assistants, dispensed coffee and sandwiches 
to the hungry crowd which gathered about. Now 
some l)egan to realize what they had not thought much 
of before; namely, that they had no home, no place 
where they could go and get a meal except through 
charity, which, from this time forth, for many weeks, 
furnished the only ray of light to illumine their pass- 
age over a tossing sea of troubles. Supplies of food 
and clothing began at once to come in from many 
neighboring places, and many telegrams were re- 
ceived saying, "Draw on us," for certain sums. 

The earliest contril^utions were from the places 
nearest, as would naturally be expected. In Hudson 
business of all kinds was suspended, except the getting 
together of every imaginable necessity for the suffer- 
ing neighbors at Xew Richmond. Ladies accom- 
panied the men who came in the forenoon, ready to 
do anything and everything that could afford com- 
fort and relief. River Falls, also, sent delegations of 
ladies, who were acquainted, and who, like the Hud- 
son friends, distributed necessary articles of every 



THE DAYS AFTKR THE TORNADO 103 

description, "not tied with red tape," as they cheer- 
ing-ly stated, and placed with an idea of the "eternal 
fitness of things." Stillwater's promptness in send- 
ing aid bv team and bv train was early in evidence, 
and with nntiring energy its citizens and ladies can- 
vassed their city, street by street, vying with each 
other for the greatest amonnt of money and supplies. 
They drew on their business, manufacturing and mill- 
ing companies, societies and churches, giving enthu- 
siastic entertainments, and their laborers came by the 
scores to work. Cumberland and other cities turned 
in their Fourth of July funds, and from the head of 
the lakes came interested delegations by earliest 
trains, to see what their communities could do. At 
Eau Claire a relief meeting was held, and by noon 
Mayor Douglas, a corps of physicians, and other citi- 
zens wath supplies left for New' Richmond. They 
came organized and equipped to aid in the search for 
bodies. They brought their own food supply and 
boarding cars for their men. This was a thoughtful 
provision, for it was soon apparent that it was taking 
as much food, perhaps more, to feed the people who 
came from other places than the real inhabitants. 
This led to charging strangers for lunches, and turn- 
ing the proceeds over to the relief fund. 

The Red Cross societies of the Twin Cities and rep- 
resentatives of civic bodies and commercial clubs soon 
arrived to ascertain where and how they could do the 
most service. The Masons, in grand session at Mil- 
waukee, took up the matter of relief, and made ar- 



I04 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

rangements to give all Masons in the state a chance 
to assist their members, also sending a sum for im- 
mediate distribution. It would be impossible to even 
refer to all the offers of help and materials sent, ex- 
cept in general to say that we seemed to be sur- 
rounded by waves of charity at high tide. There were 
examples of lavish generosity, of tender and sym- 
pathetic giving, and of self-denying benevolence, all 
helping to relieve distress. 

During the day the governors of Minnesota and 
Wisconsin corresponded each with the other, the tele- 
grams reading as follows : 

"Hon. Edward Scofield, Governor of Wisconsin, 
Madison, Wis. : 

"Our people are doing everything in their power 
to alleviate the distress and sufifering at New Rich- 
mond. Have you anything to suggest that I might 
do to further relieve the situation? 

"JOHN LIND, 
"Governor." 

"Hon. John Lind, Governor of Minnesota, St. 
Paul, Minn. : 

"I thank you and the people of Minnesota, on be- 
half of people of Wisconsin, for your efforts to alle- 
viate distress at New Richmond. I think we have 
now on the way help sufficient to meet the immediate 
necessities of the occasion. 

"EDWARD SCOFIELD, 
"Governor of Wisconsin." 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. 105 

Major M. R. Doyon, as a representative of Gov- 
ernor Scofield, arrived in the afternoon, bringing the 
information that an appeal had been made to the peo- 
ple of the state. The following is the governor's proc- 
lamation : 

''Madison, Wis., June 13. — A terrible calamity 
has overtaken the city of New Richmond, in St. Croix 
county. Practically all of the business portion of the 
city and more than half of the residence portion has 
been wiped out by a cyclone. It is reported that 100 
people are dead and as many more are seriously in- 
jured, and assistance is greatly needed. The mer- 
chants have no stocks left, and food and shelter for 
the injured is the first necessity. I appeal to the gen- 
erous spirit of the people of Wisconsin to meet 
promptly the demand thus made upon their sympathy. 
Already surgeons have been sent to assist the local 
physicians, and help to bury the dead will be supplied, 
but in every city in the state a relief committee should 
be organized, and all supplies or money collected 
should be sent as promptly as possible to Maj. M. R. 
Doyon, at New Richmond, whom I have appointed to 
take charge of receiving and disbursing the relief until 
such time as the local committees are able to do it. 

"EDWARD SCOFIELD, 
''Governor of Wisconsin." 

At New Richmond crowds of people filing along- 
through the open spaces, regardless of the location of 
streets, viewed the curious effects which had been 
produced upon objects and residents, noting also the 



Io6 A MODERN TTERCl'T.ANEUM. 

strange ex])ressions of features which we ourselves re- 
marked. They asked eager (juestions. and sought ex- 
planations in reg"ard to the situation "before the cy- 
clone." They reflected afterwards upon the singular 
fact that so few of the inhabitants had been seen to 
weep. Once in a while a wail or a groan was heard ; 
sometimes a too-burdened heart would give way; 
but the rule was to speak of everything c|uietly and in 
a rather subdued manner. It is related that, when 
one woman fell to wee])ing at the church, another 
equally afflicted said: "We must not cry. We must 
work now. There will be a long time for us to cry 
afterw^ards." 

Crews of men were constantly tossing over the 
heaps of debris in search for bodies, and gradually 
the list of missing ones diminished. Not as manv 
strangers were found as had been feared would be 
the case. Mr. Patton, Air. \\\ Bixby, Airs. Hawkins, 
Walter Hawkins, Patrick Goheen, Air. Nicholas Par- 
den, Air. John Prior, Air. Carl Larsen of Baldwin and 
the infant child of Airs. AIcGrath were among the later 
ones recovered. At the close of the third day the 
number of known dead, including those who had died 
in hospital, was one hundred and seven. There were 
four unidentified still lying at the churches, and some 
known almost certainly to be in the ruins had not been 
found. The water was drawn off from the mill-pond, 
and a careful investigation made, but though there 
were numerous articles imbedded in the mud, no 
bodies were brought to light. 



THE DAYS AFTER THE TORNADO. 107 

It was announced that services would be held at 
the remaining churches on the Sabbath. The Cath- 
olic church was in fair condition, considering all that 
had taken ])lace there during the week : but the Con- 
gregational church showed very ])lainly its shaking up 
and the damage sustained on account of being broken 
and twisted bv the storm. Its cupola and bell lay in 
the street. Its benches and floor dismantled of 
cushions and carpets, its defaced ceilings and its damp 
and death-suggesting atmosphere were a contrast to 
its usually cozy and attractive interior. This was the 
only Protestant American church left in the city, and 
here a goodly number of people assembled, forgetting 
fine differences in doctrine, and in thankful mood for 
life and limb. 

We were all too somber of spirit to smile at the 
nondescript uniforms in which many were obliged to 
appear; still, in the retrospective view of ourselves, 
we cannot help including in the list of things for 
which we should be devoutly thankful the non-exist- 
ence of a snap-shot of the congregation. There was 
a noticeable absence of gloves and finery of all kinds. 
Perchance a warm jacket hid a too grotesquely fitting 
waist, alongside a more suitable cotton outfit. But 
the nixie of feminine criticism crept shamefaced to the 
w^all. A few men properly attired gave dignity to the 
assemblage, and others in wammuses and overalls, 
contented themselves with such crumbs from the 
tables of the sanctuary as reached the region of the 
outer doors, and retired from sight previous to the 



Io8 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

benediction. The words of the preacher were good, 
not overfraught w^th the lessons to be drawn from 
the experiences which had come to us, but rather of 
a soothing and sustaining nature. We came out into 
the bright sunshine and faced again the blankness of 
Hfe, the cluttered streets, the curious sightseers and 
the disquieting thought of our future temporal life. 
The good Father provides for us the "heavenly man- 
sions." This life, with all its requirements for our 
frail bodies, and the super-imposed burdens of a re- 
fined civilization, gives ample opportunity for the suf- 
ficient perfection of our spiritual natures to make us 
fit to dwell therein. The simple path of duty is not 
always quite plain. 

To-day, in spite of the out-cry of the conservative 
ones, men and teams were at work. One plain- 
spoken man was told he should take time to be grate- 
ful for mercies vouchsafed to him. "True," he said, 
"I have my family, and I am thankful, but what on 
earth I am going to do with them is more than I can 
tell. We can live outdoors this summer, but winter 
gets around pretty soon again in this country, and I 
must clean up and get a roof of some kind over us. I 
have no money, and must do most of the work my- 
self." The majority, however, made some recogni- 
tion of the day. 



STORIKS OF THI-: PARTICIPANTS 109 



CHAPTER VII. 



Stories of the Participants. 



The story has been told and retold, yet it has not been half 
told. It was a slice of the day of judgment. 

-W. F. McNally. 

Oh, did the angels in Heaven, then 

Hide their faces and turn away — 
Fold their white wings and crouch in fear — 

Turn away and forget to pray? 
Surely the hearts of the angels then 

Shivered and quivered to hear those cries 
Wailing up from the desolate earth, — 

Crying for mercy from God's black skies! 

—Chas. J. Phillips. 

Douglas Reid says : "The storm came along 
Paper Jack creek, running toward the northeast. It 
struck us from the southwest, somewhat west of south. 
Our house was eighty rods south and a little west of 
Mrs. Dayton's. I watched the cloud until it got to 
Alex. Russell's red house, one-half mile from us, and 
in a direction west of south. It was then a dense 
cloud, near the earth, and rolling toward the earth, 



no A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

under and backward, taking up everything. I 
watched it until my wife called me to come into the 
cellar. It was densely dark where it came in contact 
with the earth and lighter above. I did not observe 
the funnel shape. My family were all in the cellar 
except James. He was on his way home from busi- 
ness, and went into a cellar in town. 

"Our house went ofT altogether. The first indi- 
cation that it was going was the bricks falling into 
the cellar onto the children. The house went entirely 
to pieces. Parts were found in Mr. Beebe's yard, 
about half a mile aw^ay, though for fifty yards or more 
toward the northeast a considerable number of pieces 
were found. Some articles of silverware were found 
east. It seemed as if the house had burst to pieces in 
the air. Parts of it were found a mile distant. Our 
barns were destroyed, one Jersey cow killed and one 
injured, and one horse killed. Chickens were picked 
clean of feathers. I picked up six or eight dead chick- 
ens to bury them. The rest were carried off with the 
chicken house. Near the house were nine boxelders, 
three large elms, nine maples, several balm of Gileads, 
in height averaging twenty-five or thirty feet. None 
were left standing." 

As Mr. Reid was stooping over his children a large 
rock, weighing over one hundred pounds (weighed 
afterwards), rolled swiftly across his shoulders and 
back. He was lame for weeks afterward, and his 
nerves in a shattered condition, although he sustained 
no serious flesh wounds. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. Ill 

Mrs. Dayton called her daughter and Miss Howe 
of Amery, who was visiting there, to hasten to the 
cellar. The young ladies were engaged in making 
candy, and a tempting supper was spread, which they 
did not w^ish to leave ; but the call was imperative, and 
probably saved their lives, as the next moment the 
house appeared sailing up in the air, and then burst 
like a sky rocket. It was a modern house, three sto- 
ries high, and built compactly; this is, without ells or 
additions. 

Practically everything was destroyed, including a 
fine library belonging to Hon. Jas. Johnston, Mrs. 
Dayton's brother. Mrs. Dayton and her daughter 
were not injured, but Miss How^e w^as so badly hurt 
upon the knee by a falling rock that she could not 
walk. Mrs. Dayton carried the young lady across 
the fields to Mrs. Webster's. Others from that vicin- 
ity met her, among them Mrs. Willard Wells, whose 
husband was even then dying in the ruins of the W. 
S. Williams' store. She did not learn of his fate un- 
til morning, so great was the difficulty of locating 
people to give information. 

A sorry and bedraggled little band, these people 
fled from the ruins of their homes, a counterpart of 
the many neighborhood groups that flocked together 
and made their way to homes whose doors were open 
to them, there to find an aggregation of troubles 
which made each feel the unimportance of his own. 

Mr. and Mrs. \^^ebster had seen the cloud ap- 
proaching. Mr. A. B. CHfton, Mrs. Webster's father, 



112 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

was in the next yard, milking his cow. Mr. Webster 
called to him to go inside, but he was anxious to fin- 
ish milking, and did finish, and drove his cow into 
the yard. He did not appear to be frightened. Mrs. 
Webster called again : "Father, I wish you would go 
in." Then Mr. Webster shouted, as the cloud came 
nearer and the roar grew louder: ''Get into the cel- 
lar!" They got in just in time to be there when the 
cloud passed over. After coming up Mrs. Webster 
went first to see if her father and mother had been in- 
jured. She found their home in ruins, but themselves 
practically unhurt. Then hearing a scream she ran 
toward Mrs. CosgrifT's home, and saw Mrs. CosgrifY 
lying on the ground apparently in great agony. "Oh, 
I'm killed ! I'm killed !" she kept saying. Mrs. 
Webster spoke some words of pity to her, but felt 
helpless to do anything for her, as she was too large 
to be easily hfted. Mrs. Webster placed her white 
apron over Mrs. CosgrifT's head, and Mr. Clifton and 
Mr. Webster took her into the kitchen and laid her on 
the floor, upon a feather bed. Mrs. Cosgrifif said : 
"Oh, Mrs. Webster, put me right into your own bed. 
I will pay you big." But it was impossible to get 
her into the bedroom. As soon as it could be done, 
a bed was made for her in the parlor, and her son and 
his wife from Warren, and her nephew, from Chip- 
pewa Falls, came in the early morning and helped lift 
her. She handed Mrs. Webster a little bag which 
she had tied around her neck, in which she said there 
was $550. Mrs. Cosgriff was badly bruised all over her 




MAIN STREET IN NEW RICHMOND, WIS., LOOKING NORTH FROM THIRD 

STREET, JUNE 15, 1899. 




VIEW SHOWING THE ASSEMBLAGE OF THE THRONG OF SPECTATORS AS 
ONE OF THE DEAD BODIES WAS RECOVERED AND BROUGHT TO THE 
GUARD LINES. 



STORIES OF THlv PARTICIPANTS. 1 13 

body, and a piece of flesh was taken out of her leg 
below the knee. Mrs. Gross, her daughter and grand- 
daughter were among the first to come in. Mrs. 
Gross found it difficult to breathe. It seemed as if 
the rain and wind had taken her breath away, or made 
her weak. She said she had eaten her supper after 
the storm came up, and would have had plenty of 
time to pack her best things in a trunk and take them 
down cellar if she had known what was going to hap- 
pen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Macartney and daughter went to 
Mr. Webster's, and Mrs. Hollenback was brought in 
there shortly afterwards by Mr. Knowles, hurt 
about the eyes, and with other bruises. She had sent 
her youngest son, about nine years of age, to the 
market, and he had not yet been found. The mar- 
ket where he was supposed to be was burning, but 
she did not know this then. 

These are Mrs. Webster's words : "Mrs. Hollen- 
1)eck was laid on the sitting-room floor, on a rug. 
until I could get my own bed ready. Then we put 
her there. Frank, her eldest son, was with her. Ma- 
son was not found until morning. He had been at 
home, sick. Lillie Henessey, about five years of age. 
was brought in and laid on the couch. She was 
a sweet little girl, and very patient. She said, 'Take 
me up.' I w^ould gladly have done so, but was busy 
waiting upon all. Afterwards she said, 'Carry me' ; 
but I thought she was too badly hurt to be taken up. 
She spoke once more, asking for water. I brought 



114 ^^ MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

her some water, but she could not drink. She died 
in about three hours. Her father came in before 
she died. After she had been taken away we put 
Nelhe Padden on the couch. Then we arranged to 
put Miss Padden in the bed with Mrs. Hollenbeck 
and put Freddie Early on the couch. The doctors 
operated on him in the morning, removing a piece of 
steel from his head about a finger long. He lived but 
a short time afterwards." 

The Clifton home stood in the next row of houses 
north of Mrs. Dayton's, but there was considerable 
intervening sp^ce. The grove of trees about the 
house was noticeable, having been set out by one 
of the earliest settlers. As Mr. and Mrs. Clifton heard 
the noise of the storm and saw their house wrenched 
and twisted above their heads, they had, after a long 
residence in this county, their first experience with 
a so-called "cyclone." In the southwest corner where 
they stood there was less damage than elsewhere, 
although next to the storm. The kitchen, a large 
pantry on the east, and a porch, extending the en- 
tire length of the north side of the house, were torn 
off, with other portions. The floor dropped eight 
inches on the side where the porch had been, and lay 
in waves on account of being warped by the rain. 
The house was unroofed and the walls and the con- 
tents of the upper part destroyed by water. The 
barn and carriage house were blown down, and a 
sleigh and top buggy broken to pieces. The horse 
was carried about forty rods to the southeast, and 



STORIES OF THI^ PARTICIPANTS. II5 

found dead, and partly buried in the mud in a small 
ravine. He had apparently struck feet first, as his 
hind legs were driven into the ground up to his gam- 
bles, and he was still hitched to his post. The Clif- 
tons considered themselves fortunate in having any 
portion of their house left, damaged as it was, and 
were thankful for their lives, as on each side of them 
buildings liad been entirely destroyed. That part 
of Mr. Webster's barn w-hich went down was directly 
west of them, the Scott and Cosgriff homes were 
directly east, and the Simcox home directly north. 
The cost of repairing a home wrecked as this was is 
about as much as the value of the house, and it is 
not, when repaired, as good as before. Then there 
is the total loss of barn and outbuildings, house- 
hold goods, horse and vehicles, and, what is irrepa- 
rable, the destruction of shade trees of many years 
growth. Following is a list of trees destroyed on 
the Clifton place, as stated by Mr. Clifton : Eleven 
pines, of which six were thirty-five feet high, and 
five twenty feet high ; four apples, fifteen feet high ; 
ten plums, twelve feet high ; ten soft maples, twenty 
feet high ; eight box elders, twenty feet high ; one 
butternut, twelve feet high and three black ash, six 
feet high. 

Mrs. Maggie McDermott, a daughter of Mrs. El- 
len Stevens, made an anxious search for her mother. 
Mrs. Stevens was a widow, and lived next door to 
Mrs. Cosgriff. After a long and fruitless search, Mrs. 
McDermott came to Mrs; Webster's for a suit of dry 



Il6 A MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 

clothing, saying that she thought she would be 
obliged to put on a man's suit, because it was so 
difficult to make her way along in a woman's dress. 
She was given dry clothing, and again went out. In 
the meantime Mr. Webster and Mr. Lotz had found 
Mrs. Stevens, lying about half a block southeast of 
where her home had been. She called several times : 
"Maggie! Maggie!" as the men approached. They 
lifted her up gently, but she at once expired, before 
"Maggie" came. It is supposed that the mother had 
made the tea ready, and was expecting her daughter 
to come to tea at about the moment the house was 
taken away. 

The situation of the Gross home was such that 
it was possible to see across the prairie some dis- 
tance toward Boardman. Mr. Gross was not at home. 
The other inmates of the household, consisting of 
Mrs. Gross, her daughter and granddaughter, saw 
clouds in the sky before sitting down to supper. The 
cloud then seemed to be some distance away, and 
was apparently higher than the tree tops across the 
street. It rained some, and then hailed, and as the 
air was becoming heavy and dark, ]\Irs. Gross said 
she expected a heavy hail storm. The granddaugh- 
ter said : "Oh, grandma ; I want some hailstones. 
Can't I get some out here?" "No," said Mrs. Gross. 
"Don't open that south door, because I think the 
wind will blow from that direction. After awhile we 
can get some." All had left the table and were 
looking out. Mrs. Gross then returned to the table 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 



117 



and finished her supper, the girls remaining at the 
windows. Then Miss Gross remarked: "Why, this 
is queer hail." Upon examination, the hail stones 
were discovered to be sharp cornered, instead of 
spherical. They were like pieces of cut ice. Mrs. 
Gross then thought there might be a severe hail 
storm, and advised the young people to keep away 
from the windows, as they might be broken on the 
south side. She advised them to go to the other side 
of the house. Then a rumbling sound was heard, 
and some one at first remarked that it was a train, 
but they soon decided otherwise, and went to the 
cellar, first placing some valuable papers and other 
articles in a hand satchel and taking it with them. 
After placing the girls as safely as possible, close to 
the southwest side of the cellar, Mrs. Gross went 
back up stairs twice ; first, to take some bread from 
the oven, and carry it down cellar ; then again to lock 
the front door. The last time, as she passed the south 
window on her way back to the cellar, she stopped 
and looked out. The cloud was then close behind 
Mr. Clifton's house, rolling and tumbling violently. 
In color it was like a dense, dark smoke. It was near 
the ground, and spread far to the east, and was ap- 
proaching rapidly. 

''I saw Mr. Clifton," says Mrs. Gross, "west of 
his house, on his way in with the pail of milk, and 
was afraid he would not get in. I felt the pressure 
of the wind through the glass, and amid the roaring 
I heard a wild, shrill, whistling sound, like the scream 



Il8 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

of a Steam whistle. I ran down cellar, and dodged 
under a box. The girls put their heads behind a 
heavy barrel." 

The house was taken up bodily, carried to the 
southeast, and broken into splinters. The young- 
people climbing nimbly out of the cellar, one saying, 
"Let's get out of this." Mrs. Gross climbed out, 
and walked along, and not making out just where 
she was, narrowly escaped falling into the well, from 
which the top had been taken, level with the little 
piece of walk next to it. A quick warning from her 
daughter saved her from taking the next step, which 
might have proved a fatal one. They picked up some 
comforters, and just as they had them in their arms 
the cold wave of wind and rain literally took them 
off their feet, and made them gasp for breath. Cud- 
dling down on the ground together, and covering 
up with the comforters, they waited for the rain to 
cease ; but it kept on so long that they at last got up 
and waded across the street to Mr. \\^ebster's. 

There were two organs standing in the west room 
of the Gross residence, — one belonging to Mrs. Sim- 
cox, of which the mirror and two or three spindles 
were found a block away : of the other only a little 
strip, on which were the stops, was ever seen. One 
carpet from this house was found two blocks to the 
northeast. All dishes were broken, but a glass vine- 
gar cruet came out whole, with the vinegar in it. 

Mr. Gross was at Rice Lake during these occur- 
rences. The proprietor of the hotel where he was 



STORIKS OF THE PARTICIPANTS. I ig 

Stopping heard of the cyclone on Monday evening, 
but kept the news from Mr. Gross until next morn- 
ing, knowing that he could not get to his family until 
Tuesday. What a sight met his eyes when he arrived ! 
The anxiety of people who heard the news of havoc 
and death and were delayed in getting here was some- 
thing hardly to be imagined. When Mr. Gross ar- 
rived, Bernard Wel^ster also got off the train. There 
was little use in asking questions of the crowds at the 
improvised station. Both ran at their greatest speed 
to their homes. Fortunately for them, none of their 
immediate families had received bodily injuries. 

Mrs. Anthony Early v/as visiting at her father's 
house, near the cemetery, which is in the southeast- 
ern part of the city. Her mother was not well, and 
Mrs. Early had busied herself attending to affairs 
about the house and waiting upon her mother until 
it w^as too late to reach home. Mr. Hennesy and his 
son, whose daughter Alice or Lillie was at Mrs. Ear- 
ly's home, came into the yard in his buggy when it 
was seen that the storm was right at hand. After 
a few moments of suspense and anxiety, enhanced 
by the separation from their families, Mr. Hennesy 
and Mrs. Early started out in the buggy to look for 
their children. When they picked their way along 
and saw some people lying on the ground, Mrs. Early 
says she seemed to lose her feeling. Her brother be- 
came confused, and they could not tell where her 
house had been. They drove over to the E. J. Thomp- 
son house, then decided to go back to their father's. 



I20 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

The elder Mr. Hennesy went on to locate the house. 
There were found sights too dreadful for a wife and 
mother to behold, but she soon followed to attend to 
the survivors of her family. Mr. Early was not there ; 
that was all she knew about him. But women could 
not give way to their feelings. There were so few 
to care for the wounded that they had to strain every 
nerve to keep up and keep at work. The Early home 
was a large new one, situated about two blocks south 
and two blocks west of the business portion. The cel- 
lar had been partitioned off into different rooms by 
board partitions. Those who Avere in the cellar were 
Lizzie, Rosella, Alice and Fred Early, Miss Nellie 
Padden and Lillie Hennesy, nieces of Airs. Early. The 
house all went, and the matched board partitions were 
ripped to pieces and taken out of the cellar. Even the 
chimney was moved from its foundation, and the 
bricks deposited outside the foundation wall. Along 
here the upward suction was immense. Fred Early, 
Lillie Hennesy, Miss Padden and Rosella Early were 
severely hurt. Fred's wound (upon the head) was the 
most serious. Miss Padden's arm was broken. Mr. 
Beal, Mr. Farrell, Mr. Hathaway and ]\lr. Irving 
Lotz were soon on the ground to help. The three 
first mentioned gentlemen had lived in the vicinity 
of the Early home. The last, Mr. Lotz, lived on Sec- 
ond street, near the Catholic church, and west of 
the destroyed portion, but had taken his family into 
the cellar for safety. He had ventured out in time to 
see the house of John Clark go up. He called to his 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 121 

wife that they could come up, as the cyclone had 
passed. He saw the cloud tearing along toward the 
northeast, black and rolling, while behind it he saw 
the light shining on the ruins it had left. In his shirt 
sleeves, without vest or hat, he started and ran to 
John Clark's. There he saw them just taking out 
Mrs. Clark. Seeing that men were already at work 
there, he ran on to the Early place. Lizzie was out 
of the cellar, and had little Alice in her arms. Fred 
was lying on the foundation. He could not see. 
Mr. Lotz said: "Do you know me?" and he thought 
Fred knew him after awhile. Miss Padden seemed 
the most overcome. Presently the second wind sent 
the light fragments flying again, and the rain began 
to pour down upon this wounded and dying group. 
By kneeling above them Mr. Lotz tried to shelter 
them. Amid the gloom, the voice of prayer was 
heard from childish lips in the words they had been 
taught to use, in the home now shattered by the 
winds of heaven. Could anything be more pitiful? 
The father missing, the mother ranging the streets 
distracted and unnerved, and unable to find the spot 
where home had been ! Presently Mrs. Farrell came 
and took Rosella and Alice Early with her to the 
shelter of a lilac bush which remained in Miss Clapp's 
yard. There she had collected a mattress and some 
pieces of bedding, to cover the little band of waifs 
whom she had found in different places, and was try- 
ing to keep them as well as she could from being 
chilled through by the rain. Lizzie Early recalls the 



122 A MODERN IIERCULANEUM. 

sight of the row of homeless Httle ones, holding hands, 
and happening to be arranged "like steps," each one 
shorter to the end of the line. She remembers how 
they went along stumbling over the timbers and fallen 
trees, now up, now down, still clinging to each other, 
poor little frightened creatures, until they were all 
gathered together by the lilac bush. "Things seemed 
so queer; as if we were not ourselves," Lizzie said, 
''but as if we were acting in some story, and did not 
know what was coming next." 

Mr. Lotz thought it would be best for all to try 
to go somewdiere to get under cover. But Lizzie did 
not want to leave the place until her father was found. 
vShe thought he must still be in the cellar. Mr. Lotz 
made a careful search, but did not find Mr. Early. 
By this time Miss Padden had fainted. Mr. Lotz 
carried her and Fred, with the assistance of Mr. Rob- 
erts and Judge Hough, and Lizzie carried Lillie. The 
way was rough and the little l)urden so heavy for 
her that many times Lizzie almost sank by the way. 
But the little girl cheered her on, and directed where 
they should go. The wounds of Fred seemed bad 
from the first, but Lillie's did not appear to be so 
serious, though she was the first to succumb. It is 
thought that her death was largely the result of fright 
and shock. 

W'hen they had all reached Mr. Webster's place, 
the next important thing was to secure the services 
of a physician. Eddie Desmond, who was one of 
Fred's friends, came as soon as he heard of his mis- 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 23 

fortune, and made it his lousiness to assist by watch- 
ing* for the trains and securing the first aid available. 
So Eddie watched and waited until he was success- 
ful in bringing some one to attend his friend. All 
that drearv night Mrs. Early longed for tidings of her 
husband. A\^ould he never come? Could not some 
one bring some word? Meanwhile her time was oc- 
cupied in waiting upon the other members of her 
family.* 

In the morning, when the inmates of the dwell- 
ings left standing west of town could see far out across 
the lots lying to the eastward, a lady, looking from 
her door, saw a young woman wandering about the 
streets, weeping bitterly. Half timidly, and with ap- 
parent uncertainty which way to turn, she went first 
in one direction and then in another. Moved at the 
sight of her grief, the lady went to her, and asked 
if she could render any assistance. "Oh," moaned 
the girl, "I want to find my father! My brother is 
dying. Oh, if I could only find my father!" Not 
being able to ofTer any consolation, so overcome was 
she by the knowledge that the girl's father had been 
found dead, the lady said little, but her heart ached 
for the bereaved girl as she went down the street to 
where lay the ruins of her home. For a long time she 
sought, looking under and around every heap: then 
slowly returned and went to where lay her injured 
brother. In a short time she was seen following a 
couch, carried l^y tv/o men. They were taking the 

*See account of Mrs. Webster. 



124 ^ MODERN HE:RCULANEUM. 

boy to the hospital train, after the operation, which 
it had been hoped would save his life. But fate had 
decreed that he should be another victim of the cruel 
storm. The feeble hand of man was powerless to 
save. He was placed on the car and even started on 
the way to St. Paul, but it was soon realized that he 
would not live to reach the end of his journey, and 
he was brought back. As he was being carried from 
the train for the last time he said "Mother!" and 
passed away. 

After Mr. Lotz had helped the Early family, he 
went on toward the southeast, and helped others.* 
Returning toward the north, he found the bodies of 
three young ladies whom he supposed to be the 
Misses Hawkins and Miss Ring, in different places. 
One w^as in the street, under a timber, which he moved 
with the assistance of another man, whose name I 
have not learned. Another was further towards the 
Omaha depot, only her face being visible before he 
moved what had fallen upon her body, and the last 
was lying across the railroad track. They placed 
these bodies near together. Mr. Lotz then went on 
toward the north, and assisted various persons. He 
heard nothing said about dowai town, as every one 
was finding all he could do, and not talking much; 
but on asking the question, "How are things down 
town?" received as answer, "Everything is flat." As 
he neared Mr. Brass' cellar he heard a woman's voice 
from there calling: "Mr. Bell! Mr. Bell!" This 

*See the finding of Mrs. Ellen Stevens. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 25 

proved to be Mrs. Germain of Somerset. She had 
recognized Mr. Lotz as being the man she had seen 
driving the Bell market wagon. She was badly in- 
jnred, and it hnrt her to be moved. She and Mr. 
Stone's boy, who appeared to be stunned, were car- 
ried to Mr. E. J. Thompson's house. Mrs. McGrath 
was also there, having her wounds dressed. Thence 
Mr. Lotz went down to the W. S. Williams store, and 
assisted there. Here he found a coat, w^hich afforded 
him welcome covering. 

So far as learned only the family of Mr. Rich- 
ards had any special provision for a place of refuge 
in case of wind storms. Mr. Richards says that he 
had read of people being saved by going into cyclone 
cellars, and had made a sort of cave in the side of 
his cellar to be used in case of need. His wife and 
daughter availed themselves of this place of refuge. 

Mrs. Richards says : "My daughter and I had just 
returned from town, and as it was warm and sultry, 
we had changed our clothes, and put on thin ones. 
When I looked at the clouds, it seemed as if thev 
came down to earth and then rose again. I heard 
a terrible roaring, and wondered if it were the cars ; 
but going to the door again found the noise pro- 
ceeded from the clouds. My daughter and I went 
into the cellar. In a moment the house was gone. As 
I was trying to get out a large timber hit me on the 
head, and the next I remember Maud had got me out 
and on the ground. I said to her, 'I am dying.' She 
said, 'Oh, mamma ! Don't die ! Don't die !' She found 



126 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

a battered tin pail, and got some water in it, and 
washed my face. Mr. Wells came, and found a sack 
of flour, which he put under my head. I began to 
feel better. Then Mr. Bushnell and Mr. Albee came, 
and took me to Mr. Bushnell's house, and my daugh- 
ter followed with difficulty, in the face of the wind and 
rain. I shall never forget the kindness of Mr. and 
Mrs. Bushnell, and, above all, that of my Heavenly 
Father, who has been so merciful as to spare our lives, 
^ly prayer is that this great calamity may be the 
means of drawing us all nearer to him." 

Mrs. T. L. Rutty relates the following : ''We went 
to the cellar. Hazel, our little daughter, aged nine, 
went down first. Mr. Rutty was on the platform at 
the head of the stairs, and I was part way down when 
the house fell. I was so completely buried that I 
could not stir nor see anything. I prayed, 'Oh, 
Lord ! spare our lives,' until I smelled the smoke, 
and then I prayed, Xord, take us quickly before 
we burn to death !' I had a big fire in the range, 
which had been thrown over our heads into the cellar 
with us. I heard Hazel making a strange noise, be- 
tween a shriek and a groan, perhaps like the noise 
sometimes made by a person in a terrible nightmare, 
full of fright and terror, then I heard Mr. Rutty say, 
'Where is your mother?' 'Oh, I don't know; I 
don't know,' she cried. I called as loud as I could, 
but they did not hear me. I shall never forget the 
horror of that awful time. It seemed hours, but of 
course it could not have been, when I heard anotlier 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 27 

voice. It was Mr. Childs. He is a poor, frail, sick 
man, but he worked until he got me out. Mr. Rutty 
helped, but he had had a bad blow on the head, and 
was somewhat dazed. I could only be gotten out 
limb by limb, because of the thickly packed fine de- 
bris around me. At last Mr. Childs assisted me out 
by my placing my left arm around his shoulder (my 
right arm was hurt so I could not use it), placed me 
on a timber that projected out of the cellar, and I 
crawled along up on it. When I got on my feet he 
left us to help, others. We met him afterwards, help- 
ing Mr. Doty along. Hazel had disappeared. Mr. 
Rutty said : 'There are some houses standing toward 
the west. I think we had better go that way.' We 
intended to go west, but instead went directly east. 
There was a proA'idence in that, because if we had 
gone west we should have stepped into our cistern, 
all uncovered and full of water. We thought of going 
to Mr. Kibbie's, but saw the house was badly shat- 
tered, so we went to Mr. Schuer's, where we saw oth- 
ers going in. Old Mr. Early lay on the floor, and 
Mr. Rutty lay beside him through the night. They 
found a chenille curtain to put around me, but I could 
not get dry clothes that night. The house was dam- 
aged, and nearly everything wet. I was chilled 
through. Mr. Early complained of the cold, and at 
intervals called to Mr. Rutty: 'Well, comrade, how 
are you?' In the morning Mr. Rutty got up and sat 
in a chair, and when Mr. Earlv's friends came in, he 



128 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

said: 'I had a comrade beside me last night; where 
is he?' During the night he had Hfted up his voice 
and prayed: 'Oh, Lord! Thou hast shown me many 
mercies ; my Hfe has been full of mercies. Now, oh. 
Lord! grant me the mercy of taking me to thyself.' 
He was 'called home' a day or two afterwards. He 
was the father of Mrs. Hawkins. 

''We didn't know where Hazel was, and it was 
useless to try to find anyone that night. In the morn- 
ing Mr. Rutty went to the church to look for her, 
fearing that she was among the injured or dead. 
There he found out where she was. She told us 
afterwards that she crawled out through a little hole, 
and saw her papa sitting down holding his head. She 
did not hear me call. Then she had wandered until 
someone found her whom she knew, and she went 
with them. Although I had smelled the smoke be- 
fore I was taken from the cellar, on looking back and 
seeing the lire streaming up I did not realize that I 
saw my own house burning. I thought of it as some 
other person's house. I could not locate myself, and 
was surprised when 1 saw the ruins burned." 

Mrs. Rutty felt such a horror of this place (her 
old home) after her experience that she did not wish 
to rebuild on the spot. 

Mr. Early, father of Mrs. Hawkins, recollected 
the circumstance of Mrs. Hawkins opening the door 
when he sat on the porch and urging him to come 
in. He wanted to take one more look at the cloud, 
and said so ; then went in, and ]Mrs. Hawkins closed 




A WIDOW'vS AI^Iv. 




THE DOTY HOME. 



STORi:es OF the: participants. 129 

the door. That was all he remembered until he ''came 
to" at Mrs. Schiierer's. He was found north of the 
kitchen floor, which was moved to the northwest. 
Mrs. Hawkins was found further northwest, tangled 
in telegraph wire, and Walter still further north. It 
is not known whether Walter was at home at the time, 
or whether he had gone after his cow. The young 
ladies, the Misses Hawkins and Miss Ring, were seen 
by Dr. Sherman's family to pass the house running. 
Their parasols flew away from them. It is not known 
whether they reached their yard or not— probably 
•not. It is only known that they perished. What 
can we say of a home deprived of its guiding star, its 
lovely home-makers, and its youngest child? Surely 
its light has failed! 

The home of Mr. Hiram Warner was on the 
western side of the city. The blow came upon them 
so shortly after they noticed the cloud that they hardly 
realized what had happened. After the roaring v/as 
heard Mr. Warner went to the barn to see to his 
horses, and returning, went quickly down cellar. Mr. 
Bently, w^ho was working there, thought the noise 
sounded like cars, but *Mrs. Warner's impression of 
the sound w^as that it was like that of a great water- 
fall. She noticed a hissing like that of rushing water. 
(Mrs. Bartlett, whose home was also on the west side, 
speaks of the hissing as being audible to her.) In 
about three minutes after the storm Mr. Warner went 
out again to see to his horses. The barn was gone from 
its foundations. It had apparently been struck from the 
*Since deceased. 



130 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

northwCvSt, as a part of it was south of the house and 
a part of it further east, near the old schoolhouse, 
thus showing the direction of the whirl. The horses 
still had their halters on, tied to parts of the manger, 
which dragged on the ground. The old horse was 
on its feet, eating o-rass. The colt stood still, although 
somewhat injured. Miss Betsy Clapp's girl came 
over after Mr. Warner to take the rock oflf of Miss 
Clapp and Alex. Davis, her nephew, so they could 
get out. All had been in the cellar together. Miss 
Clapp's shoulder was injured or broken. You could 
not have told whether they were white or colored, 
they were so covered with mud. Miss Clapp's house 
was all gone. They went to Mr. AA^arner's, and 
stayed over night. Judg-e Hough's and Mr. Doty's 
folks were here also. Mrs. Hough was considerably 
injured, and was taken to Minneapolis after a day or 
two. 

Judge Hough's statement I have not been able 
to secure in his own writing, because he says I could 
not read it. He claims rivalry in this particular with 
only one honored gentleman in this congressional 
district, and says he can't read his own writing. 
"But," he says, "I will tell you one thing: I am 
willing to own that I was frightened. Some say they 
were not, but to see such a looking cloud and to 
hear such a noise was enough to frighten anyone. 1 
was driving my cow home, and Mr. Taft's folks called 
me in. I saw, that I could not reach home, though 
I would have done so if I could, because my wife was 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 131 

all alone. But I reasoned that she would be wise 
enough to get into the safest place she could find, and 
that I could not help her any by starting out, as in 
all probability — all human probability — I should have 
been killed on the way. So I went in with Mr. 
Taft's folks. The noise seemed to me like that of an 
old-fashioned mill wheel, only very much intensified." 
Mr. Hough left his cow in the road, and when he 
came out of Mr. Taft's cellar, and hastened home 
to see how his wife had fared, he saw a cow, as he sup- 
posed, on her knees, apparently in the act of lying 
down. When he returned for the cow she was in 
the same position. On going up to her he found her 
fore legs driven into the ground. She was dead, but 
had not fallen over. Several articles of toilet ware 
left in his house had been on a washstand. The stand 
was carried off, but the crockerv was left entire. There 
was nothino: left of the Taft buildings. They were 
all carried along — no one knows whither. 

Mr. and Mrs. Doty had fled to their cellar, but a 
horse and an outhouse were thrown In upon them, 
inflicting serious Injuries upon Mr. Doty. Thus it 
seemed that their only chance for safety failed them. 
Many weeks of suffering for one and of patient watch- 
ing for the other ensued. To Miss Minnie Doty, 
their daughter, fell the task of trying to pick up a few 
articles which remained. They were a little aside 
from the main guard line, and she could not leave her 
findings unguarded without losing them. 

Mr. Charles Price says : "I left the Constance farm 



132 A MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 

before the second blow came up. I could see that 
the houses were gone along where the Tafts had lived. 
I went first to the Childs' place, where I had relatives, 
and found they had been in their cellar and were not 
harmed, but their house was gone. I then started 
north towards the fires. I heard groans, and looking 
into a cellar saw Mrs. McGrath. She was able to 
speak, but did not seem to know what had happened. 
She asked where her husband and children were. 
When I tried to assist her in getting out, her back 
seemed so badly hurt she could not easily rise. How- 
ever, I got her out of the cellar. I saw the body of 
a young lady lying with the head to the east almost 
over the wall — just on the verge of falling ofT. Her 
head had apparently been hit by something very 
heavy and sharp, judging from the nature of the ter- 
rible wound. I straightened her out. I saw also the 
body of a child, about five years old. All the clothing 
was ofif except a light undershirt. I could not see 
a bruise upon the body. It was lying on the north 
side of a pile of splinters, apparently debris of the 
house. I placed this body on a board beside that of 
the young lady. I found some table linen and put 
over them. The two McGrath men were about forty 
feet from where the women lay. The one who was 
hurt least had the head of the other in his lap, and 
was dipping water from a hole in the ground and 
Ixithing his forehead. I saw I could not do more for 
them without help, so T went down town, and found 
Ed. Lynch, and asked him to come and help. On 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 33 

my way back I heard a woman groaning. I think it 
was Mrs. Stack. She was doul:)led up so that her 
lower Hmbs were over her head. I straightened them 
down and saw a large zig-zag wound In her forehead. 
A two-by-four was thrust into her hip, from below 
upward, diagonally. We went to lift her on to a com- 
forter, when she stopped groaning. One man placed 
his hand on her heart, and said, 'She is dead.' So we 
wrapped the comforter around her, and left her, in 
order to care for the living. We carried Mrs. Mc- 
Grath into Mr. E. J. Thompson's house, then went 
back to see if we could help the men. One of them 
was walking when we came back ; before that he had 
been sitting with his back against a timber. We 
placed the other one on a mattress in the wagon, and 
he was taken away. I then went down town and 
helped there. While I was helping there one boy was 
taken out alive and tw^o dead. I found Mr. Constance 
about that time, so exhausted that he was not able 
to walk home. He had a cut on his head, but had 
come back here to work after he found his home 
safe, and had not noticed his wound until he was 
tired out. I took him home, and returned to work 
near the burning district. There were two or three 
men unknown to me taken out before I left, which 
was about twelve o'clock." 

Mrs. McGrath and Miss Nellie McGrath, each tak- 
ing a child, attempted to go to the cellar. Mrs. Mc- 
Grath ran back to call Russell, and so they were 
a little late. Russell did not go with them. Mr. 



134 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Xick. McGrath lived west of Mr. William McGrath. 
His family stayed on the lowest floor, and did not try 
to go into the cellar. His house was taken up and 
moved west until it struck a tree, when the super- 
structure went to pieces, leaving the family unhurt 
on the floor. The family of Mr. William McGrath, 
living one-half block east, started for the cellar, but 
only reached the cellar door, when the house was 
dashed to pieces, and nearly all of them deposited in 
his brother's cellar, three being killed. The 1)aby 
was not found until the next day. Russell McGrath, 
who was upstairs in bed, was blown one and one-half 
blocks southwest, and deposited in a neighbor's gar- 
den, unharmed. A singular feature in the case of 
these families was that they were carried westward, 
although on the western side of the center of the tor- 
nado. 

Mr. Henry Beal was at his barn, milking. A lady 
who was boarding at his house saw the storm ap- 
proaching, and said to the housemaid: "Tell Mr. 
Beal to come in. There is going to be a bad storm." 
Mr. Beal thought he would not come in until he had 
finished milking. The lady called to him again, and 
said he must come in, because there was a cyclone 
coming. More to please the women than because 
he was afraid, Mr. Beal went in, and just as he did 
so he saw Mrs. Dayton's house in the air, and before 
he got into the cellar his own house was lifted from 
its foundation for a distance, vertically, into the air. 
If it had gone diagonally he would have gone with 



STORIES OF the: PARTICIPANTS. 135 

it. It went off clean and broke all to pieces. This 
was one of the largest and best furnished dwellings 
destroyed. Miss Beal, his daughter and housekeeper, 
was away from home at the time. What must have 
been her feeling at finding all her cherished household 
belongings swept away? Mr. Beal's business was also 
destroyed. He started up again with the aid of the 
relief committee, but after awhile sold out and went 
away. The remembrance of the cyclone was a con- 
stant menace to his peace of mind. Home and busi- 
ness were both too utterly gone, it seemed, to ever 
get back a home-like feeling. Most of the business 
men remained here, so his case seems an exceptional 
one. 

Mr. B. C. Blancher gives his experiences as fol- 
lows : 

"My brother and I ran out of the cellar, stepping 
on glass at every step, and looked in the rear of the 
vast whirlwind, which seemed to work like a hori- 
zontal auger. I heard my wife saying, 'Oh, my poor 
mother !' whom she thought must certainly have per- 
ished. I started in search of her. I first beheld Dr. 
Epley's bald head coming up out of the ruins of his 
beautiful home. I said: 'Doc, how are your folks?' 
'All right,' he said; 'How are yours?' I next saw 
W. S. Williams, with blood-stained face, surrounded 
by wife and daughter, looking for a doctor's ofiice. 
I next came to the ruins of the Duffy corner, and 
found Mr. J. H. W. Lewis, mangled about the face in 
a shockino- manner. The next thino- I beheld was an 



136 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

old man lying on his back in the middle of the street 
(or where the street had been), just breathing- his last. 
On the W. S. W^illiams corner was a man with his head 
severed, and lying beside his body. I crossed the rail- 
road track and crawled under the roots of a large 
Cottonwood tree that stood in front of the Merchants 
Hotel ruins, to get sheltered from the drenching rain 
a minute. M. N. O'Brien came along, and inquired 
where his house was. I went with him, and we found 
his cellar, but could not find any trace of his family. 
I next saw Thomas Farrell and what was left of his 
family sitting under a piece of the roof of a house. 
The next sad sight was Mrs. Cosgriff, lying in the 
street, in a dying condition. I next arrived at the 
home of Mrs. Clifton (my wife's mother), and found 
the place in ruins and no trace of them. I then went 
to Byron Webster's, and found them all right. We 
started for my home ,and met with many sad sights. 
Among the saddest was Thomas Rowe, standing with 
head covered with a sheet beside his dead wife in the 
yard. A\nien we reached home we found the house 
filled with dead and dying people, and were glad there 
were some houses and people left to care for the dead 
and dying. We all worked like demons all night, try- 
ing to rescue the injured from the flames that overtook 
some of our dearest friends and relatives before they 
could be rescued. The heart of the nation seemed to 
throb with sympathy for us in our troubles, as evi- 
denced by the noble assistance they have rendered, 
especially our sister state, Minnesota. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 37 

Mrs. Blancher's brother, Mr. Elvin Levings, and 
bis family were in tbe cellar of tbe Bell bouse, on tbe 
eastern limit of tbe storm, wbere it entered town. Tbe 
entire bouse (a large one) was moved directly east, 
upon tbe foundation, tbree or four feet, a little fur- 
ther at tbe south end than at tbe north. Mr Levings' 
says be beard tbe grating sound, as near like tbe keel 
of a boat grating upon tbe shore as anything could 
be. There tbe bouse still remains. It was rendered 
uninhabitable, as tbe roof was carried no one knows 
where and every window broken in, except one on 
tbe northeast corner upstairs, besides being generally 
twisted. We have learned that tbe schoolhouse at 
Barron was also moved bodily several feet from its 
foundation, and done so nicely that a new foundation 
wall was built to it on each side instead of moving it 
back. It stood facing tbe same way, on a new site. 
Rev. A. D. Adams, pastor of tbe Congregational 
church, says : 

"The parsonage was not in the immediate track of 
tbe tornado, and trees concealed the storm center from 
view. Tbe commotion in tbe clouds and the roar of the 
approaching storm, however, gave timely warning, 
and we found refuge in our cellar. A few moments 
of darkness and noise, and our suspense was over. 
Tbe bouse had stood, but as we climbed from our 
refuge we found windows broken, doors burst open, 
our bouse filled and covered with mud and our lawn 
with debris. A few moments' exploration revealed 
the fact that our city had been visited by a terrible 



138 A MODKRN HERCULANEUM. 

tornado. Soon its first victim was led past our house, 
bleeding and torn, but the awfulness of the catas- 
trophe was realized only when I reached the main 
street of the city, and found within the area of a 
square rod four prostrate people, one of whom was 
dead and three almost unconscious, all of one family, 
while among them stood a fifth trying to discover 
some means of protecting the injured ones from the 
torrents of rain which were falling. From across 
the street the cries and moans of others, buried 
under the ruins of a stone block, attracted attention 
for a few minutes, when I gave assistance in bear- 
ing to shelter one of the unconscious forms first 
seen. On returning from this service I stopped 
at the Congregational church, which had been only 
partially destroyed, and which had been already ap- 
propriated to receive the dead and injured. Here I 
placed myself under the direction of the surgeon (Dr. 
Epley), who was already present, and proceeded to 
procure designated utensils and articles for the care 
of the injured. One after another, in rapid succes- 
sion, the helpless forms were borne in, until we be- 
came aware of the large number who would have to 
be provided for. The pews of the church were 
promptly torn up and room was made, till the vesti- 
bule and more than half the fioor space of the audi- 
torium were filled with dead and injured. 

''The awfulness of that night of June 12, 1899, 
and of the next day, within our sanctuary, will never 
be forgotten. Physicians and nurses from neighbor- 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 139 

ing cities soon joined efforts with those of our own 
city, under the direction, at the church, of Dr. Epley, 
in reheving the suffering and in preparing the 
wounded for removal to the city hospitals. Friends 
were constantly seeking among the dead and wounded 
for their missing ones, and many awful fears were 
realized. Slowly the row of dead lengthened, and, 
after those still living had been cared for and removed, 
demanded and received the attention of undertakers 
who had come to render assistance. All through the 
day following this work was prosecuted, and just as 
the evening sun was setting, the first interments were 
made, being those of two of the first fallen ones found 
mentioned above. On Wednesday the saddened pro- 
cessions were all day arriving at our quiet cemeteries. 
In rapid succession, and, for a time, several at the 
same time, the bodies were committed to their final 
rest. 

''Only on Wednesday evening did I have an op- 
portunity to look about the city, to see the extent 
and measure of the destruction of property. My heart 
failed me as I drove through the streets, so lately 
lined with pleasant and beautiful homes, shaded 
with graceful trees and neat with well kept lawns and 
inhabited with a happy and contented and prosperous 
people, and saw everywhere the utter and awful 
ruin. 

"Through all this terrible experience the courage 
and self-possession and patient endurance of the many 
who lost everything but the clothes which they wore 



140 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

have been admirable. Those who lost their friends 
took up the common burden, and strongly assisted 
the less severely afflicted and the many from neigh- 
boring country and town in discharging the neces- 
sary offices of the hour." 

Mr. Lanphear had been waiting on a customer 
at Mr. Beal's store. The customer went to the door, 
opened it, and started back with a yell. ]\Ir. Lanphear 
looked out and saw a house in the air. He snatched 
a string of bananas, and ran back into the store. He 
thinks the building must have fallen when he got 
about by the stove. It was found beside him, broken 
in pieces. There was a stick thrust into his chin so 
that he could not open his mouth, but he says he could 
yell. The character of the sound can perhaps be 
imagined, but was only one among many uncanny 
sounds heard during that awful night. Mr. Lan- 
phear's family were among the homeless ones, the 
Merchants' Hotel, which they kept, having been 
taken just the moment the family had got below the 
floors. Getting out on the street, and finding only 
a heap of rocks where the store had been, i\Irs. Lan- 
phear's daughters were frantic. They could do noth- 
ing, and were led to a place of shelter. Bennett Arn- 
quist heard the "yells" proceeding from the pile of 
stones, and looking there could see just a blood-cov- 
ered face surrounded by rocks, with the floor and some 
broken boards lying on top of the pile. He ran back 
to the residence of Mr. W. S. Williams for an axe. 
The work of rescuing Mr. Lanphear was very slow 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. I4I 

on account of the weight of the debris by which he 
was covered. He was seriously injured by being sub- 
jected to such enormous pressure, and sustained a 
number of severe flesh wounds as weU. 

E. J. Scott, editor of the New Richmond Voice, 
started for home at the usual supper hour, stopping 
at the dry-goods store of W. S. Williams on business. 
He left there, and got as far as the Merchants' Hotel ; 
then realizing that the storm would overtake him be- 
fore he could reach home, returned to the Williams 
store and sought shelter in the cellar. The building 
was of brick and stone, strong and well built, and 
contained a handsome double store. There were a 
number of clerks, shoppers and others in the store, 
who sought refuge in the basement. When the 
building fell Mr. Scott was pinned down so he could 
not move his head or hands, but could move the lower 
part of his body a little. He did not lose conscious- 
ness during the three hours that he remained in that 
position, a large rock pressing against his face, a sharp 
corner indenting the bridge of the nose and covering 
one eye. Two two-by-fours crossing back of his head 
held his neck as in a vise. He knew that the res- 
cuers were working like tigers to get him out, and 
called out occasionally to let them know where he 
was. He heard continually the sound of a handsaw 
and the thumping of different things thrown off from 
the pile. He recognized the voices of several, among 
them Mr. Ball, Mr. M. S. Bell, Mr. Edwards and Vic- 
tor Mosher. Something pressed heavily against his 



142 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

chest, as if crushing his very frame, and the time 
seemed long. At last they got down near him, and 
first lifted out \\'alter Farrell who was dead, and took 
him tenderly to his mother, who had been soothing 
the woes of others while she waited to learn the ex- 
tent of her own affliction. Then they worked for 
Air. Scott again. \\'hen it was seen that he would 
soon be taken out, some one, mindful of the long and 
tedious hours which had passed, and the efforts i\Ir. 
Scott had made in calling out to make known his 
whereabouts, judged he would be thirsty, and that 
even a poor substitute for a good drink of water would 
be welcome, and ran for a cloth, moistened with water, 
to wipe off his mouth. Air. Scott, in the midst of the 
grime which covered everything and everybody — es- 
pecially himself — provoked a smile by objecting to 
the cloth, because ''it was dirty." 

Meanwhile as Airs. Scott was wondering where 
her husband was, and was unable to get any definite 
information. Air. and Airs. Roberts came in. They 
had but lately bought and furnished a large house 
in New Richmond, and moved into it, leaving their 
country home at Burkhardt's where they had lived a 
long time. Now they had reason to wish they had 
never left the farm. 

Aliss Emma Roberts opened the trap door for her 
father and mother to go into the cellar. After her 
parents had descended the door was drawn slmt. Aliss 
R6berts made a great effort to open the door, pulling 
hard upon the ring, which was such a one as is com- 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 143 

monly attached to trap doors. At that instant she was 
taken off her feet and switched and thrashed about. 
She was carried up in the air with the house, and 
floated across the street with it while it was going to 
pieces, Hterally ''about her ears." She arose with the 
ring still in her hand, surprised to find that she was 
not seriously injured. There was no part of the house 
left unshattered, but w^ith many loads of new furniture 
it lay in a useless pile of splinters. 

Russell McGrath was there, and told how he had 
been blown out of bed into the garden, and could not 
find his folks. Mrs. Farrell had put a comforter around 
him to keep him warm, and finally he got to Mrs. 
Scott's. He had been ailing, and had gone to bed 
early. After three long hours Mr. Scott was brought 
home. Mr. Scott's right arm, chest and neck were 
bruised and badly swollen for days, and his eyes in 
bad condition. The indentation make by the rock 
pressing against the bridge of the nose, flattening the 
face and drawing up the upper lip, had so changed his 
expression that Mr. Bartlett took occasion to guy him 
a little on the kind of face he wore. But Mr. Scott 
replied that he was thankful to have any face at all. 

Mrs. Scott speaks In terms of warm praise of the 
work of the Red Cross nurses of St. Paul. The first 
one had to go unexpectedly when it seemed impossi- 
ble to spare her, but was faithful and attentive while 
here. Miss McLoyd took her place, and remained 
several days, without going to bed, constantly keep- 
ing her post. They refused all pay for their services, 



144 ^^ MGDJ^KN IIIiRCULANECM. 

and worked as if for their very own. We cannot too 
earnestly thank these noble women. 

Mr. Waldo Mosher describes his experiences as 
follows : 

"I was in my room, changing my clothing. I 
heard the roaring, although not very plainly, as I was 
on the north side of the house. Hastily putting on 
some clothing, I closed the window and started down 
stairs. Just as I did so the glass broke, and as I 
reached the hall door a piece of plaster fell from the 
ceiling. As I went down I glanced out of the window, 
and saw the trees bent and broken toward the east. 
When I got down O. — W. — was looking out the 
south window. He had been standing there, lookinof 
out, during the passage of the cloud. I saw that the 
barn was moved, with all its contents, about fifty feet. 
Victor came. very soon after from Dr. Epley's, and 
said, as he came in : 'Main street is flat !' I started 
for the elevator, across the railroad bridge, and noticed 
that the Nicollet House was down. The bridge which 
I had been accustomed to see at my right every day 
when I went to the elevator was gone. I felt sort of 
dazed. When I reached the elevator, about two 
blocks north, I saw that things were all right there, 
and turned right about and went back across the rail- 
road bridge, and saw that I could look across every- 
thing on Main street. Then I thought of Mr. Hicks. 
I went to his home first, and found that he had 
not come. I started for Main street, and met some 
men bringing him. He was still alive, but nearly un- 



STORIES OF the; PARTICIPANTS. I45 

conscious. I went back to prepare the family to re- 
ceive him, and afterwards went to W. S. Williams' 
store, and helped get out Tom Haley. He was lying 
on the basement floor, his foot caught beneath the 
floor from above, which had dropped down. He 
w^as not seriously injured, but between his knees was 
Dominick Barrett, doubled over. He was quite dead. 
We worked at great disadvantage. The rocks were 
heavy, and for the small pieces of brick, plaster, etc., 
we had no shovels, and had to remove them with our 
hands. It was about half an hour after I got there 
before we got Haley out. 

Thomas Haley: "I felt the building shake, as, like 
one in a dream, I staggered down the stairs. Some- 
thing struck me, and I fell forward, senseless, on my 
face. When I recovered consciousness there w^as an 
awful weight upon me. When I cried for help only 
groans and moans mocked my efforts. I was in pitchy 
darkness. I felt around me, and found I was lying up- 
on a dead body and beside me was another. At 
length I heard the voices of men coming to our rescue. 
When they had uncovered me I found that my life had 
been spared as if by a miracle, for the dead lay on each 
side of me. That morning, in my carelessness, I had let 
fall a bolt of sheeting in the basement. This careless- 
ness had saved my life, for the bolt had prevented the 
beam which lay above me from quite reaching my 
head. My cousin and Mr. Fred Day were taken out 
first. My foot was imprisoned under a heavy weight, 
and was very painful. It seemed so difficult to get 

■ 10 



1^6 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

niv foot out that I would have been glad if they had 
pulled me out without it, rather than stay there longer 
and hear the crackling of flames. I shall never for- 
get the joy I felt to breathe the blessed air again, and 
be once more on earth." 

Miss Moran and Miss Butler went upstairs to shut 
the windows, then went immediately to the basement, 
and started to go to the south side where Mr. and 
Mrs. A\'illiams and Miss Scott stood. Miss "Lambdin 
was the last one down. She had lingered to attend 
to something in the office. It was thought that she 
had remained to put away the books and shut the safe, 
but the way these things were found did not appear 
to indicate that she had succeeded in doing so. When 
^liss Moran reached about the center of the basement, 
the lights went out. and all remained standing where 
thev were. Miss Butler and ^liss Lambdin to the north 
of !Miss Moran and a little beyond the center of the 
room. Mr. Haley, a clerk, and a Mr. Day, a traveling- 
man, stood somewhat between Miss Moran and the 
other ladies. When Mr. Day was uncovered he lay 
with his head under Miss Butler's arm. He was badly 
hurt. She was dead. He remembered that she had 
been perfectly immovable from the time the lights 
went out, as if paralyzed with fear. Miss Lambdin 
did not utter a sound after entering the basement. 

How many times I have wished that all the beauti- 
ful attributes of character could be pictured in some 
way, w^hen I have been seeking information in re- 
gard to the last moments of these and others of our 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS, I47 

most beloved. This is not to be, but many of us 
would deem it the highest tribute to memory of a 
woman to have it said, as we can say of them, "All who 
knew them were their friends." 

Mr. Sydney Foster: "Mr. McCoy and myself 
were the only persons in the bank at the time of the 
cyclone. My attention was first arrested by its being 
so dark I could not see the figures I was at work on. 
I stepped to the window to ascertain the cause, when 
I discovered a cyclone was on us. I shouted to Mr. 
McCoy that a cyclone was coming. We both ran 
out of the front door, and just barely had time to turn 
the corner of the bank building, run into the alley and 
throw ourselves on the ground beside Mr. AVilliam 
Bixby's wooden building, when the cyclone with all 
its fury was on us. Instantly we were covered with 
debris. I could see flames, and knew if I did not dig 
myself out I should be burned to death. After what 
seemed a lifetime, I extricated myself, and immedi- 
ately began digging for Mr. McCoy. The rain fell 
in floods and it was so dark that at times I could not 
distinguish him down under the debris. When I 
was finally able to get him out, I found his leg was 
broken. He was so heavy I could not lift and carry 
him to a place of safety, so I was obliged to drag him 
in that painful condition. He must have endured ex- 
cruciating pain, but he quietly and bravely directed 
what to do and how to do it. When he was in a 
safe place from the fire, I started home, but what a 
sight met my eyes ! One vast area of wreckage ! I 



148 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

was SO bewildered I actually did not know where to 
look for my home, although I have lived in New Rich- 
mond twenty-three years, and am familiar with every 
nook and corner. \Mien I did reach my home, I 
found my mother safe, she having taken refuge in 
the cellar on the approach of the storm. My father 
had tried to reach home when he saw the cyclone com- 
ing, and succeeded in getting within a few rods of 
the house when it caught him. He jumped from the 
wagon and dug his fingers in the grass and earth, and 
was pounded with every conceivable missile. He savs 
he would say to himself, 'Can I stand another such 
blow?' and would nerve himself for the next, expect- 
ing each would be his last. AMien he was able to get 
up it was to find one of the horses he had been driving 
dead a few steps from him, his barn, hay, grain, cutter 
and carriaije gone, and his house in ruins." 

Miss Maud Tatro : "I was at the desk on the 
south side of the store. ]\Ir. Keith, a traveling man, 
said : 'There's a cyclone coming. If you want to 
see it come here.' So Mr. Hicks and I went to the 
front end of the store and saw the wind coming. Mr. 
Hicks and Mr. Keith put up the awning, and I ran 
back into the store. I don't know why I didn't go 
down cellar then, but T didn't. They came in and 
shut the door, and things came sailing up the street. 
Mr. Hicks said : 'There goes my peanut roaster.' I 
thought things would probably fly round pretty live- 
ly outdoors, but I didn't think of a brick building go- 
ing down. I went and stood in front of the show 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. I49 

cases, on the north side of the store. There was a 
pickle case and baskets of vegetables in a row between 
me and Mr. Keith, who stood in front of the south 
counter. Mr. Hicks stood near me, rubbing his left 
arm with his right hand, a habit he had when he was 
interested or a little excited. 'What shall we do?' I 
exclaimed. He looked at me and smiled, but didn't 
answer because he was listening to what Mr. Keith 
was saying. I had made up my mind that I would 
do just exactly as they did. Suddenly, without a 
word, Mr. Hicks turned as quick as a flash and started 
for the back door. I think he must have thought 
about home, and started for there, for he went out 
the door and was found later near the alley. I 
started to follow him, but then thought I wouldn't. 
The arc light went out before the back door slammed. 
I started to run toward Mr. Keith, but couldn't see 
him in the pitchy blackness. 1 didn't know what to 
do. I felt as if I was all alone in the most stifling 
darkness with that awful roar coming nearer and 
nearer. Just as it struck I turned, rested my elbow on 
the show case and put my hands over my face. The 
windows burst in. I saw the window and door cas- 
ings and everything coming right at me (from the 
east), and a big wind took me right up and carried 
me back, I judged, about to where there was an open- 
ing between two counters, and then I sort of threw 
myself, thinking, perhaps if I could get between them 
1 would be protected. I don't suppose they were 
there, but I just thought that might be a chance for 



150 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

me. I threw myself with my right hand under my 
right cheek and felt things piling up around me. My 
left arm, straightened out, was pinned down to my 
left side, and I w^as all covered up tight. The first 
thing I did was to take a long breath to see if I was 
alive and could breathe. Then I was afraid a brick or 
something would fall into the hole, or wherever it 
was the air came in, and stop it. Then I wondered if 
the whole town was gone, and did some pretty lively 
pra3ang for my mother and father. I tried to wiggle 
my fingers, but I couldn't move them nor my shoul- 
ders. I thought perhaps I could lift up some of the 
stufif piled on me, but I couldn't move a muscle. I 
heard people crying for help, so I called, and Mr. 
Keith asked if I was hurt, and said he'd get me out 
if I w^ould wait. I heard him throwing brick and 
broken crockery away from him, and I kept hallooing 
so he wouldn't forget me. Then I smelled smoke, 
and knew the rubbish was on fire, and expected to 
burn to death. When they began to dig me out I 
could see the fire. They got me all out but one foot 
which was pinned down by a great joist. They sawed 
and chopped and pried, but couldn't budge it. The 
fire kept coming nearer. 'We'll have to chop your 
foot of,' they said 'or you'll burn to death.' 'No; 
don't chop it off; just try to pull me out once more.' 
'It will pull your foot ofif,' they said. Then, as the 
fire grew hotter, I said, 'Well, pull it off, then,' and 
they all pulled me as hard as they could, and I came 
out. I thought my foot had been pulled off. It felt 



STORIES OF THK PARTICIPANTS. 151 

like it, and I was very much surprised to see it on 
when I came out. Then two men carried me home. 
We got a little way, and I said, 'Well, do you know 
where you're going?' 'Yes,' they said. 'Well, I 
don't,' I said, for I couldn't imagine where we were, 
from the looks of things. The bricks and things fall- 
ing on me had torn great chunks out of my shirt 
waist. I hurt my finger and had a number of scalp 
wounds, — nothing serious but my foot; but I could 
not step on that for two weeks." 

Mr. Henry Constance : "I was in O. J. Williams' 
store. I knew the noise the minute I heard it. I've 
ueen in cyclones before (not in this part ox rne coun- 
try, though). This is the fifth one, and I hope this is 
the last of its kind that I shall ever be in. I said: 
'There's a cyclone coming, sure !' The others 
laughed at me, and one said : 'It's a train coming 
over Paper Jack bridge.' 'Well, you'll see in a min- 
ute,' I said, and sprang to the front door to look out. 
Miss Williams said: 'Oh, let's see it! Let us see 
it !' We had about three minutes to get down stairs. 
There were Miss Abbie Williams, Mrs. Cameron, Mr. 
Williams, Johnny Henry, his clerk, Sather, the tinner, 
Walter Brown and James Finnegan, farmers, and one 
or two others whose names I did not know, in the 
store (I can't say positively whether there were not 
one or two others), and myself. Henry, Brown and I 
went out to the edge of the sidewalk to look. I 
thought the cyclone w^as going to come across the 
south end of Main street. I says: 'Boys, we are 



152 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

going- to catch hell,' and I guess I was about right. 
I don't think I'll ever see anything nearer like it on 
this side of the grave. Then most of them started 
for the cellar. ^Ir. \\ illiams went and turned on the 
lights, and I don't know where he went after that. He 
was in the cellar when I saw him next. Johnny Henry 
went to the south front door and shut it. Then he 
came to the north front door and tried to shut that, 
but I grabbed hold of it and put my foot in it so he 
could not shut it. I was leaning out, and wanted to 
go in. I saw the porch fly off the Farmers' Hotel, 
and saw Mr. Tobin's implement store starting, and 
yelled : 'J^^'^^'^^'^y' ^^^^"^ ^^r your life to the cellar', and 
ran after him, about twelve feet behind him, I think. 
Looking back, I saw the southeast corner of the build- 
ing roll in. A\nien I got to the stairway there were 
four or five people standing on the landing. The 
two ladies stood nearest the stairs. I heard the men 
urging them to go down. I put my shoulder against 
them and pushed them, thinking we would all tum1)1e 
down the stairs together, but they parted and I fell 
through between them. As I was going I said : ' Jumj) 
for vour lives.' ]\Iiss V\'illiams said: 'Oh, I can't! 

I can't ! I ,' and the crash came. Something hit 

me and knocked me down on my face. It was very 
dark down there. I think I was somewhat stunned 
for a moment. Then I turned my head as I lay there, 
and saw a fire, about half as large as a waterpail. Then 
I got up. The stairs were there by my feet, and I 
crawled up toward the top, but my head hit what 



STORTKS OF THE PARTTCTPANTS. I53 

seemed like a board surface. I think it was the par- 
tition that had been next the stairway. I crawled up 
again, hoping to reach the fire, as it looked so small 
I thought I could pull the sticks in and put the fire 
out. I could feel its warmth, but could not reach 
it. This time I heard a faint moan— very faint, and 
growing fainter. This was the only sound from the 
group that had been at the head of the stairs. None 
of them ever spoke after the crash. The north room 
of the basement which I was in was filled up with 
bricks from the north wall, and with timbers, hard- 
ware and other things. The floor was not taken off 
over the back end of the store, but was all broken 
in about two-thirds of the way on the front or east 
end. I worked my way out and lit several matches 
in order to see the way. I met Mr. Williams just 
inside the south room of the basement. He asked, 
'Where is Abbie?' I said, 'She is pinned down top 
of the stairs, and there is a fire burning near. He 
said, 'Can't you help her out?' I said, 'I will do all I 
can.' We went out the outside door into the alley. 
By this time the fire looked about the size of a half 
barrel. Mr. Williams and I tried to put it out, but 
the more we tried the faster it burned. Then the 
wind came up and blew towards the stairway where 
the four or five people were. None of these people 
spoke. \Xe remained there trying to pull the burn- 
ing stuff away as long as we could. The wind blew 
it along so fast that all the stuff in the stairway blazed 
up fiercely. Then we went to where Mr. Hicks was 



154 -^ ^[(^DKRN TIERCl^,ANI^l^^^. 

lyiui;", and rolled the cliimne}- off him. lie la\- aeross 
the partition wall, his head hani^ing over. His rii^ht 
arm was nearly severed, and his head was bruised. 
His face was as black as if he had been tlrai^i^ed in 
the road — ^probabl)- nuul or soot. Mr. Fink and his 
daughters came running from the front of the store. 
We were on the door of Mr. brink's store. A tire was 
well under way, near where his bake oven had been. 
The west wall of the O. J. Williams store fell out to- 
wards the west. Mr. Finnegan was picked up in the 
alley by ]Mr. Sather, near the tire. Mr. Finnegan 
cannot remember whether he was in the store when 
it fell or whether he was near the outer door. I went 
home after this to see if my family were all right ami 
my house standing. I found but small damage done 
there, which was said to be caused by the second wind, 
I could not tell where I was when I started out, but 
took the general direction across and around the ruins 
toward the southwest. The only creature I noticed 
stirring- on my way through town was a cow, chewmg 
her cud as though nothing had hap])ened." 

]\Ir. Thomas ^Turphy of the town of Erin left the 
O. J. Williams store after the alarm was given, got his 
horse and buggy (standing on the street) and started 
for home. He intended to keep the horse going east 
by the Methodist church, but she turned north — per- 
haps drawn by the tornado, then just upon them. Mr. 
Murphy remembers being carried through the air, 
and was picked up nearly a block west of the ]\letho- 
dist church, his arm and leg- broken. The horse was 



STrilUI-.S f>V TITF, PA F<TICr PANTS. 155 

stripped of harness, and lay dead some distance from 
him. The bu^^y could not be found. 

'J'he resiflence of Mr. J. R. Henrlerson, in the east 
lialf of the same block with the Methodist church, had 
its north side taken off, and household g-oods carried 
northeast. This appeared to have been done by a 
force dra'win^ rather than pushing northeastward. 

Mr. Harry TT. Smith : ''y\t five minutes past six 
o'clock T started for home from my office, in the sec- 
ond story of a brick building occupied by Mrs. B. E. 
Aldrich with a drug stock, at the corner of Main 'and 
Second streets, west of Main and south of Second. 
Upon arriving at the foot of the stairs leading from 
the office, T observed that it was very dark, and think- 
ing it might rain before T could arrive home, con- 
cluded to remain in the stairw'ay till the shower had 
])assecl over. T was looking toward the north. After 
standing there for something like a minute, f should 
judge, I glanced around the corner of the building 
to the southwest, to more fully satisfy myself of the 
nearness of what T supposed to be an ordinary shower. 
There T witnessed the most beautiful and overawing 
spectacle T ever beheld. ;\bout eighty rods away I 
could see the storm cloud approaching. With a huge, 
exceedingly dark cloud on either side, about thirty 
to forty rods in height, the center as bright as though 
thousands of electric lights were burning, filled with 
flying debris, upon which the light reflected a beauti- 
ful golden color, the whole presenting the appearance 
of an immense kaleidoscope. The brilliant light was 



156 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

undoubtedly caused by the sun's rays penetrating the 
inky black cloud. A sharp crackling sound was dis- 
cernable, not unlike that accompanying a brisk fire. 

"One glance was a sufficient warning. I imme- 
diately hastened into Mrs. Aldrich's store, and pro- 
ceeded to go to the basement, inviting her to accom- 
pany me — an invitation she did not hesitate to accept, 
for by this time she was becoming somewhat fright- 
ened because of the increased darkness. When we 
had nearly reached the foot of the stairs I heard a 
crash in front of me, as of one large store striking 
upon another. From that time I must have been 
unconscious (probably for not more than a few sec- 
onds, however), for afterwards I was aroused from 
my stupor by ]\Irs. Aldrich asking me if I was hurt. 
I responded that I did not appear to be much hurt, 
but that I was fastened down by the arm so I could 
not escape, and that my head was saturated with ker- 
osene oil. Just then we smelled the smoke of burning- 
fire, and realized that the building above us had col- 
lapsed and that a fire had started close by. I heard 
what I took to be, the noise of roaring flames, but 
]\Irs. Aldrich considered it (what I know it must have 
been) an exceedingly heavy rain. As soon as I de- 
tected the smoke I concluded that we had no possible 
chance of escape, and we both consigned our souls to 
the care of our great Creator. Airs. Aldrich, how- 
ever, did not give up all hope, for she kept up a con- 
stant crv for help. I cried out occasionally, but more 
for the reason that it seemed to me unmanlv not to as- 



STORTKS OF THK PARTICIPANTS. 1 57 

sist a woman in performing a task she was undertak- 
ing-, even though it seemed a useless employment. The 
collapse separated us ten or twelve feet. Mrs. Al- 
drich's feet were fastened in the fallen material, but 
she soon succeeded in extricating herself, and was, I 
believe, but slightly injured. She could not reach 
me, however. I was thrown against a huge tin or zinc 
oil tank, holding probably a barrel or more, full or 
partially full of kerosene oil. The can was struck on 
the top and doubled over toward me, which caused 
the side next me to bend in, thus forming a cavity or 
pocket into which my left arm was thrust. The press- 
ure upon the top of the tank then closed up the 
pocket on its outer margin, shutting the edges of the 
tank together upon my arm, near the shoulder, like a 
vise. I was sitting on the floor of the basement with 
my feet and legs cramped up under me, and covered 
with brick that I could not move them. My right 
arm and head were free. I did not know then what 
my injuries wxre, but found afterwards that my left 
arm was broken near the shoulder, and that I had 
quite a severe scalp would, which bled profusely. I 
must have sunk into a state of unconsciousness, but 
how long I remained so I do not know. I was aroused 
from my stupor by some man talking to Mrs Aldrich. 
T recognized the voice to be that of Expressman P. 
B. Day. Someone else was with him. They had a 
saw, and were trying to make a hole out of which to 
draw Mrs. Aldrich. They soon succeeded in doing 
so. Day asked her if anyone else was -in the ruins. 



158 A M0DI;RN HliRCQLANEUM. 

She informed him that I was there. Soon a man, 
whose voice I recognized as that of our Assemblyman 
O. W. Mosher, inquired of me if I was there. I in- 
formed him that I was, and endeavored as far as possi- 
ble to assist him in locating my position. In a moment 
he with others were in the basement at work. By this 
time it was evident that the flames were getting un- 
comfortably close, as the smoke was very strong. Be- 
side, some weak-kneed brother on the outside was 
momentarily exclaiming to those on the inside, that 
whatever they did must be done hurriedly, as the fire 
was close at hand. I was now somewhat inspired 
with courage. I had heard Mosher accost some one 
by the name of 'Grant.' I knew it must be our head 
miller, Grant Boardman. With Mosher, cool, cour- 
ageous and calculating, to direct the efforts of Grant, 
fearless as a lion, powerful as an ox, and true to every 
worthy human instinct, I recognized a force sure to 
relieve me if it lay within the power of man. Then 
there was faithful P. B. Day, Henry Jaggers and John 
Crites. One of these men clasped me around the 
waist and tried to pull me loose. But the pain in my 
arm was so intense that I begged him to try every 
other means first. Mosher retorted with 'Well, Harry,' 
as if I must be released in that way or not at all. They 
soon found that the fire would drive them away before 
they could remove the large amount of material above 
me, so they attempted to work from beneath, but the 
darkness prevented their making very great headway. 
After awhile someone came along with a lantern, 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 159 

without which, I am told, my Hfe could not have been 
saved. By means of this Boardman succeeded in 
getting a large stick, which he so placed under the 
oil tank that he was enabled to pry it to one side, 
thus releasing my arm and, as a consequence, my en- 
tire body. I was then lifted up into the open air, a 
free man, greatly to the disappointment of those hun- 
gry flames which seemed just ready to lick me up. 
Words cannot express the gratitude I felt, and shall 
ever feel, towards those faithful men who so nobly 
risked their lives for mine. Banker L. A. Baker as- 
sisted me home, wdiere I arrived about 7 150 p. m. 
There, prompt and efficient medical attendance, un- 
der the management of Dr. F. D. Wade, is bringing 
about a speedy and complete recovery."* 

Mr. W. F. McNally : ''On June 12th I worked all 
day in our office, in the second story of the Allen build- 
ing, collating authorities on some legal points which 
I intended to argue before the circuit court at Hud- 
son the next day. I was so absorbed in this work 
that I was hardly conscious that there was a circus 
in town, and knew nothing whatever of the approach 
of the storm. Just about six o'clock Mr. Joe Kirsch 
of Stanton came into the office. We had collected a 
small judgment for Joe, and after talking with him a 
few moments my brother commenced to write a check 
for him. Suddenly we heard a noise which sounded 
to me like the roar of a heavy freight train going down 
grade on a still night. In an instant this roar had be- 

*Written about ten days after the storm. 



l6o A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

come terrific. I glanced out of the window, and said, 
'It's a cyclone, and it's right here.' I was perfectly 
cool, but my thoughts ran with lightning rapidity. 
I realized that it was too late to escape to a place of 
greater safety. I remembered that the Alliance build- 
ing joined the one we w^ere in, on the south, and 
would, to some extent, protect ours. Both were 
two-story brick buildings. I thought, therefore, that 
our building would withstand the shock, unless we 
were directly in the path of the cyclone, which I knew 
would be comparatively narrow. These thoughts, 
and many others, ran through my head in an instant. 
Suddenly the electric lights went out and the windows 
crashed in, and in an instant we were in pitch dark- 
ness. I threw my left arm around the casing of the 
door way leading into my private ofifice, and faced 
north. My brother Miles threw his left arm around 
my waist, and faced the same way. In another in- 
stant we were hurled into the street on the north side 
of the building, faces downward, under tons and tons 
of brick and lumber. Our heads were never covered, 
1)ut our feet were firmly caught and pinioned. Pres- 
ently the darkness cleared away, and we saw Mr. E. J. 
Thompson rise out of the ruins of his building, on 
the opposite side of the street. We called to him, and 
he at once came to our assistance. Then Leigh 
Prentis, Fred Bell and some others came along, and 
together they succeeded in prying us out. Our in- 
juries were severe, but not dangerous. I expect to 
be around again in a few days, although I am in bed 



STORIES OF the; participants. i6i 

propped up by pillows as I write this, ten days after 
the storm. 

''No pen can describe the force of this storm, or 
the destruction wrought by it. It simply defies de- 
scription. The story has been told and retold, yet it 
has not been half told. It was a slice of the day of 
judgment." 

Mr. h. W. Prentice: '1 was at the telephone 
central office, which was over Patton & Carey's drug 
store. Our window, opening to the north, gave us 
no chance to see the approaching storm. I was in 
the room back of the switchboard, and hearing a low 
moaning sound, asked Florence McShane (who was 
attending the switchboard near the window) wdiat the 
noise was. She said it was a train. As it grew louder 
I went to the window, and looking out, saw no one 
on the street. The air was dead, and it was almost 
impossible to breathe. The noise was very loud 
now, sounding like large millstones revolving at a 
high speed, with a piece of metal run between them. 
It seemed to come from the sky, and looking up I 
could see leaves, grass and dust flying in every direc- 
tion. It took only an instant to surmise the situation. 
I said, 'That's a cyclone,' and seizing Florence by the 
arm, started for the basement. We had a long flight 
of stairs to get to the first floor, and I don't remember 
touching them on the way down. To get to the base- 
ment we had to turn to our left, enter at a side door to 
a rear room of the drug store. When we got to the 
door I looked up the street east of us, and could see 



i62 A mode;rn herculaneum. 

boards and trees crossing the street at the Methodist 
church corner. I tried to open the door. It seemed 
to be locked, but, on giving it a hard push, found it 
was only held by the air. It was impossible to breathe 
now. Somewhere on our course to the cellar-way we 
fell in with one of the Hughes boys and Mayte Dono- 
hue getting to the cellar stairs, which were dark, and 
the draft of air coming up through, laden with dust, 
made it almost impossible to descend. I was the last 
one down, and was on the floor when the roof went 
ofif. At the same time the air struck me, and it felt 
as though there were sticks thrust into my ears. I 
could not hear a thing for half an hour after the storm. 
As the walls of the building came in they looked like 
mighty waves ; seemed to bow in, and then disappear 
in the dust. I don't think it all lasted over thirty 
seconds. We then climbed up to what was left open 
of the door-way, and I stood on what seemed to be 
the highest point left in its track. My heart almost 
ceased to beat, when I looked around me. I expected 
to see two or three buildings unroofed, but could not 
see a single building which I could recognize, nor a 
person moving; only groans and cries for help on 
every side. 

"The first person I saw outside of our party was 
E. J. Thompson, who had crawled out of the ruins 
of what was once his clothing store. He was so cut 
and bruised that I failed to recognize him until he 
spoke. W. F. and M. P. McNally were pinned down 
by the roof of the building they were in, and were 



^TORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 1 63 

near us, their heads and shoulders being all that was 
visible. Mr. Thompson and I got a timber for a lever 
and started to release them, but there being such a 
weight we could only raise it enough to ease them un- 
til more help arrived. T then went to what was left of 
Mr. George Knight's residence, and found an axe, and 
worked w^ith the rest until Wednesday morning. It 
would be impossible to tell just how many or whom 
I helped to rescue, as it seemed more like an awful 
dream than a reality. Every one appeared dazed, — 
could not tell where they came from or what direc- 
tion they were going." 

Mr. Frank Phillips: "I knew the noise was dif- 
ferent from anything I ever heard before, and thought 
possibly it mig-ht be a cyclone. T saw it was a terrible 
looking cloud. I went in to ask the doctor what he 
thought of it, and he said, 'It's a cyclone, sure,' and 
he hustled us all down cellar. Besides his family, 
there were my brother and I, Misses Williams and 
Lila King, Victor Mosher, Chas. Nelson, Miss Olga 
Walsted and her friend, and then the doctor ran up 
and came back with Miss Minnie Doty. Then a man 
and woman with a baby came and asked if there were 
room in the cellar, and Mrs. Epley said, 'Yes, come 
everybody, and may the Lord save us !' There was 
a moment of awful noise and suspense. Little Sam 
cried, 'Mamma, stay by me !' and wrapped Mrs. Ep- 
ley's skirt about his head as he leaned against her. 
The noise came right over us and threw the sand in 
at the cellar window; but the floor stayed above us. 



164 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

The door to the furnace room flew open, and we saw 
the main part of the house partly thrown into and 
partly north of the cellar. Sam shrieked, 'Oh, our 
lovely home is gone !' Miss King fainted, and we car- 
ried her upstairs, and laid her on the kitchen table. 
Grace Epley said to let her head hang down, which we 
did, and she came to. I went toward home then, but 
seeing the damage grew less up that way, went down 
town to help. I helped take out Mr. Wills and his 
son, then went over to the southwest part of town to 
look after some people I knew. Then I helped carry 
a man and a woman to the church. There were no 
lights in the church then, and people were crying and 
groaning, lying about on the floor. The seats had 
not been taken up then. On our way to the church 
we had seen a man walking about in a circle, appar- 
ently in a half-crazed condition, saying that he was 
blind, and seemed to be in great pain. After carry- 
ing the woman to the church, I came back and found 
the man to be a relative, a son of P. G. Stevens, who 
lived some distance out in the countrv. He was 
unable to give an account of himself just then. He 
was hurt about the head, and his face was blackened 
and bloody, and he could not open his eyes. He 
was afterwards able to recollect that he had gone to- 
ward Dr. Epley's offlce just before he was struck, but 
was a block away from there when we found him. I 
worked at getting people out until five the next morn- 
ing. After breakfast I went down again to work, 
and kept on, only stopping for meals, until ten o'clock 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 165 

Tuesday night. The next day we worked with our 
team, taking goods out, and so on for several days. 
It seemed as if we ought not to stop working a min- 
ute, while there was so much to do, and while there 
were bodies still unfound." 

Mrs. F. W. Epley: "I viewed the approaching 
tornado (a sight I had never before witnessed during 
a life-long residence in St. Croix county) from an up- 
per south window, which three minutes later lay under 
the wreck of the house, many feet to the northward. 
Though not acquainted with the nature and mission 
of the cloud, its appearance and its venomous growl 
sent a thrill to my heart as if I were to meet some su- 
pernatural thing. I hastened below to speak to the 
family. As I went I heard the chairs pushed back 
from the dining table, and a chorus of voices exclaim- 
ing: 'It is a cyclone !' 'Where's mamma?' 'She's up 
stairs, sick.' 'Oh ! Oh !' 'Go to the cellar !' My hus- 
band met me, and we hurried along through the 
dining room and kitchen, joining the others. We 
clung together in the southwest corner of the cellar. 
Some one started to go into the furnace-room, in the 
cellar, thinking they would find more room perhaps ; 
but my husband spoke sharply to them, bidding them 
stay in the little vegetable cellar. After the roaring 
monster had passed over us the door between the 
cellars blew open, and we saw how wisely w^e had 
chosen our refuge, for the other part was filled with 
fragments of our house. When we returned again 
to the dining room the table was shoved awry, chairs 



1 66 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Upset, and the tablecloth hanging on a stump in the 
yard. Some of th-e dishes were still on the table felt, 
some broken and scattered about. The east end of 
the dining room was torn away, \\4th the main part 
of the house. The dining room was situated in an ell 
on the west side. The wall w^as torn from the wains- 
cotting in the room adjoining the dining room, leav- 
ing a shelf fastened to the wainscotting and articles 
on it undisturbed. Pieces of furniture were swept 
from the rooms left standing, and were never seen 
more. 

"We saw that the front of Mrs. Fink's residence 
(brick) was torn ofif, leaving the rooms exposed and 
bare of furniture. On the northeast, southeast and 
west of us houses were destroyed, so that on every 
side we saw that our neighbors had been served as 
badly as we had — perhaps worse ; we did not know. I 
said, 'Thank the Lord !' and cried it again aloud, 
'Thank the Lord !' A member of the family said after- 
wards that this seemed to her ludicrous. She did not 
know that the thought of my heart was, 'Surely there 
are some killed, and we should be thankful that we 
are all spared and unhurt.' Mrs. McNally came in, 
nearly overcome because she had seen that the Pat- 
ton & Carey building, where her husband's oflfice 
was, had fallen. I said, 'He may have gone to a place 
of safety.' 'No;' she said; 'he would be absorbed in 
his 1)Ooks if he w^ere alone, and would not notice until 
too late.' I could hardly gainsay this, knowing so 
well that it might be true. We all remember how 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 167 

troubled poor little Robert was, and how the baby's 
big black eyes glowed as he looked from one to the 
other as Miss Gallagher held him in her arms. We 
saw Miss Rosa Brown running past, clothed in a hand- 
some gown, torn and trailing, and sticks hanging to it, 
and her hair flying. She had been dressing for a 
party when their house was taken. We remarked, 
'They had no cellar under their house,' and wondered 
what they did. Miss Brown was seeking assistance 
for her mother and sister. Then came the second 
panic and flight below. When we came to the kitchen 
again we saw the fires streaming up, in different 
places. We wondered what set them. Was it light- 
ning? or was there fire in the air, as they said was 
the case at Peshtigo? We could not tell. We could 
understand that there might have been fires in the 
kitchen stoves in dwelling houses, but why should 
business places catch fire? Then we thought we must 
go somewhere else, as the rain had proved the roof 
to be open, so that we could not keep dry. We 
sought for wraps among the branches of an evergreen 
tree in the vestibule, and not finding enough to supply 
all, one took the table-felt, and putting it around 
her, ran with the rest, strewing spoons and forks as 
she went, and was too excited to stop and pick them 
up. Choosing one of many openings, we made our 
exit through the space from which the dining room 
window had been broken. (The next day we found 
pieces of the heavy plate glass on the porch outside, 
under a number of boards and other things. 1 re- 



1 68 A MODERN HERCUT,ANEUM. 

member handing a piece to Dr. Hodgson of Wauke- 
sha, who observed their pecuHar situation.) We 
started up the street running. Like "Charhe" Phil- 
lips, we do not know why we ran, because there was 
no hope of getting out of the rain before we were 
drenched through and through, for this was accom- 
plished before we had gone a dozen steps. But we 
ran, and looking back after we had gone about half a 
block (I thought of Lot's wife, and wondered if some- 
thing more would happen to us), I saw more people 
running in the same direction. Further on we met 
people also running, — splashing, slopping through the 
mud. I couldn't help the thought that came to me 
as I saw the ruined dwellings, 'the walls of Jeri- 
cho fell down,' and wondered again if the noise we 
heard was our warning? This, while running along 
up to the ankles, and more, in water. After we had 
been first to Mrs. Barrett's and then to ]\Irs. Phillips', 
where we had been rehabilitated and the youngest 
member of the family had been soothed to troubled 
sleep, we returned, and securing a push-cart, hauled 
out a few wet things from the promiscuous pile in 
the yard, placed them on the cart, when it tipped and 
deposited them in the mud, making still another heap 
of broken china and soiled garments. Things seemed 
worthless and paltry to me, but my reason told me 
that I ought to secure the little that lay in sight, as 
we needed it. But when we had dumped them in 
the mud I felt too wearied to pick them up. I remem- 
ber that some young people assisted my own children 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 169 

in doing so. My eldest son and daughter had assisted 
in providing some covering for refugees who flocked 
into the tottering office. This seemed to promise 
some sheUer, and was the only part of a building left 
near Main street, but proved a disappointment in this 
respect. My daughter remembers the men sitting 
about waiting to receive attention. One sat on the 
floor by the south doorway, against the wall, where 
the rain blew in, for the door was gone. One sat in 
the corner on the desk, and one on a pile of stuff be- 
side the skeleton, flung from its hanging place. One 
man lay on some boards on the north side, outside, 
and others clustered around the east wall. One man 
lay in the alley, and one ran by, saying, 'Oh, I'm 
killed ! I'm killed !' all the time, running and shout- 
ing at the top of his voice. Poor Mr. Hughes, white 
and broken, was led to the rear of the office, and 
Frank Chapman, talking very fast, asked if it would 
be possible to get a horse and buggy. The very idea 
was exclaimed at,. so Frank supported Mr. Hughes 
toward the street from which his home had vanished, 
where he must learn that his family were unhoused 
and report his sad experience. There are other 
visions of those who were footsore and weary, wan- 
dering about unable to find their own. One of these 
asked where the Farmers' Hotel had been. He had a 
daughter there, whom he could not find. I wondered 
if she were killed.'^ I could direct him where the Far- 
mers' Hotel had been, but that seemed to be all I 
could do. We found that others who were strangers 
*I learned afterward that she was. 



lyo A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

to US were also interested in what lay about our prem- 
ises. This led to the thought of guarding the place. 
I knew there were two guns in a closet in the office. 
The two Phillips boys and Frank Heminway assisted 
us, and Mr. Ripley and Mr. Law lent the welcome 
aid of lanterns. We could find some lamps in the 
kitchen, but the kerosene tank in the woodshed was 
open and filled with water. About half-past two Mr. 
Mosher came along, followed by two men, whom he 
directed. He said, '\\^ell, this is the experience of a 
lifetime.' I replied, 'I hope so.' He asked the men 
to take the guns, and these were the first to go on 
guard in our beleaguered city. I noticed that Mr. 
Mosher, who is far from rugged (and it was now quite 
cool), was in his shirt sleeves. I said, 'You will take 
cold, won't you?' 'No,' he answered, with charac- 
teristic directness, 'I guess I can exercise enough to 
keep warm.' It is wonderful that no more sickness 
resulted from exposure. The intense interest and 
forgetfulness of self may in part have accounted for 
it, although it is true that many yielded to the strain 
later on. One memljer of our family was occupied 
entirely with the injured, the rest of us incidentally, as 
we saw opportunity. 

"So the night passed, the clouds weeping drearily 
at intervals after the first pour, and at intervals clear- 
ing away somewhat ; but the atmosphere was laden 
with moisture, our clothing and hands were soiled to 
the point of stickiness, and our shoes laden with mud. 

"To one of the family inclined to follow the voca- 
tion of a professional nurse, abundant opportunity 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 171 

was furnished for doing emergency work. But to 
wash faces and wounds with no utensils but a tea 
cup and a handkerchief was a hard initiation. It was 
no time to insist on exact requirements, as did one 
professional nurse when she instructed an attendant 
to, 'Go down town and get cloth for bandages.' But 
he said: 'I don't like to go down and take things 
from th-e merchants' goods. They may think I'm 
pilfering.' 'Well,' she said, 'as long as you want it 
for bandages, and your conscience is clear, it will be 
all right.' After the messenger started out she called 
to him: 'Be sure to get the cloth six yards long.' 
This seemed somewhat ridiculous under the circum- 
stances. 

"I have mentioned Mrs. Andrew Brown, who was 
first seen by the doctor at the Brickley residence. 
She was afterwards removed to Mr. Fred Bell's. Mrs. 
Brown's serious wounds had been dressed, and she 
was placed under the care of a nurse, wdio relates 
that, after two or three days, when rubbing the flesh 
under Mrs. Brown's shoulder, where she said there 
was a 'sore place,' she discovered a penny and a dime 
imbedded in the flesh. Mrs. Brown says she had no 
money of such denominations in her house, and that 
it must have been hurled at her from elsewhere. 

"Mrs. McNally found her husband in the situation 
which he has descril^ed/'' having first to ask assistance 
in finding the place, after she got into the maze of 
ruins. A man whom she supposed to be Dr. Sher- 
man helped her along without speaking. She relates 



^See account of Mr. W. F. McNally. 



172 A MGDERX HERCULANEUM. 

that 'Miles' says she was screaming, although she 
was not conscious of it. Mr. W. F. McNally could 
not walk, so Mr. M. P. McNally secured a horse, 
which he saw struggling in the ruins, placed his 
brother on its back, and got him into his own home, 
southeast of the schoolhouse. I do not know if Mr. 
M. P. McNally would wish me to note it, but he said, 
a day or two after this, that while A\'ill was praying 
so loud as to drown the sound of the tornado, he him- 
self felt like using the name of the worst place and 
person in the Book. I have heard other men, not ad- 
dicted to profanity, say that it came to their lips at 
this time, no ordinary words seeming bad enough to 
express the awful state of things." ' 

Mr. Wm. N. Densmore settled in New Richmond 
in 1855, being one of the earliest pioneers in this sec- 
tion. He was a member of the Fourth Wisconsin 
Cavalry, but in all his life's experience nothing can 
compare with the terrible calamity of June 12, 1899, 
in this city. Mr. Densmore was getting home as 
fast as he could, for he perceived that something ter- 
rible was about to happen. He had gotten as far as 
Mr. Fitzgerald's grocery store as he saw the buildings 
of brick and stone torn, flying and falling ; also, heard 
a terrible roaring altogether beyond description. He 
made out to get quickly into the cellar in the back 
part of Thompson's large store, and found Cook Cliff, 
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald and others there. He had 
barely got in when Thompson's store and also the 
building that they were in were destroyed, and the 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 173 

ruins piled up over their heads, ten feet deep. He 
says : "To make our situation much more desperate, 
a fifty-gallon tank of kerosene was broken up, and 
poured down on our heads, saturating our clothing, 
and also making the debris very much more inflam- 
mable. While in total darkness under this great mass 
of ruins some one suggested lighting a match. Such 
an idea startled me to exclaim, 'Don't light a match, 
as we would be burned to death in five minutes !' I 
never shall forget the terrible suspense we were in, 
realizing the danger of fire. The rescuers chopped 
and made an opening so that all were able to get out 
except myself, a larger hole having to be cut so I 
could get through. I consider that we all had a most 
miraculous escape, which I shall remember to the end 
of my days." 

Mr. W. T. Lambdin, assistant postmaster, had a 
trying experience, in being so long covered and not 
located. Sitting at his desk in the postoffice his at- 
tention was attracted by some unusual commotion 
on the street. He thought at first that there must 
have been a runaway, but looked out saw that a heavy 
wind was coming up. Then he started through the 
Alliance store, which had an entrance from the post- 
ofihce, intending to go out onto Main street; but 
the swirl of wind caught him and forced him towards 
the east, into the back part of the store. The south 
wall fell in, and he felt the floor go down under him. 
The darkness was intense. The timbers being ar- 
ranged around him in such a way that he was not se- 



174 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

riously bruised, he was fully conscious of his situa- 
tion. He could work with his right hand only, and 
managed to do a little clearing away, but was unable 
to stir his body. He called loudly for help, but no 
one seemed to hear him. He said he thought he 
made an awful noise. He could hear voices, and 
knew that men were working. He heard them dig- 
ging, and after they had found Mr. Walsh the voices 
ceased, and he knew they had removed him from the 
ruins. After a while work was renewed in his vicin- 
ity. Not far from where he was imprisoned matches 
which had been stacked up on a shelf in the back part 
of the store were ignited by something which was 
dislodged by the workers, falling through upon them. 
It was about three hours before rescuers reached him. 

?^Ir. Lambdin's daughter, Lavinia, was employed 
in the W. S. Williams store. Their home was in the 
southeast part of the city, and was not in the direct 
path of the cyclone. As soon as those at home re- 
alized that the business part of the city had been 
leveled, they went out to look for Mr. Lambdin and 
''Vinnie." Not finding yiv. Lambdin in the postof- 
fice, they were puzzled in their search. Vinnie was 
afterwards found dead. She was a promising young 
woman, diligent and faithful in everything she un- 
dertook, and a helpful, loving daughter — one of the 
best of our earnest Christian girls. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kelly of Stanton, with their sons and 
grandson (five or six years of age), were, with others, 
in the Alliance store when the building fell. ]\Irs. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 175 

Kelly had her grandchild in her arms, his arms about 
her neck, and his face against hers. The boy was 
instantly killed, and the grandmother, when taken 
away with the injured, inquired for the child, refusing 
to have anything done for herself until he was 
found. When told that he was dead, she remem- 
bered that, as she lay there for a time of which she 
was but dimly cognizant, the little cheek seemed cold, 
and she longed to get him in her arms and make him 
warm. 

Mr. William Frizzell : ''My son called my at- 
tention to the cyclone. I said: 'Everyone go into 
the cellar.' Irvine was not inclined to efo — wanted 
to watch the cloud. But I said: 'You go to the 
cellar, and go now.' After all were down he came 
back and took down an armful of coats. I stood 
looking out until the mud was so thick on the win- 
dows that I couldn't see anything outside. My house 
was not in the path of the cyclone cloud, and as soon 
as it had passed, we went out on the north side oi 
the house, and watched it going toward the north- 
east. We could see some trees turned over and torn 
up, but no shattered houses from our house. I put 
on my hat and started right for town. As I went 
across the schoolyard I saw the Congregational 
church steeple in the road, trees torn up and Mur- 
dock's house damaged, and as soon as I got past Hef- 
fron's house I saw that all the town beyond was a 
heap of ruins. It was bewildering and awful to be- 
hold. The streets were full of timbers, bricks, broken 



176 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

carriages, dead and dying horses, and all was as quiet 
as the grave until I got to W. S. Williams' store. 
There I saw Willard Wells in the ruins. When I 
came up to him he said : 'Is that you, Will?' 'Yes,' 
I said. There were a dozen people standing along 
the wall of the cellar. I said : '\\^illard, I will stay 
here and help you out. I won't leave you until you 
are out.' 'Well,' he said, 'I am gone; but get me 
out.' He prayed as I never heard a man pray. After 
we got him out we laid him on a pile of coats from 
the store. By this time people were running through 
the streets screaming and crying, and he was praying 
aloud. It was a terrible scene. We made ]\Ir. 
W^ells as comfortable as we could, and went to res- 
cue others. He was afterwards taken to the Congre- 
gational church, where he died. I saw J\Ir. Wm. 
Hughes, city clerk, in the ruins of the Bank of New 
Richmond building, over which he had his law office. 
He was badly injured, and a man was at work there, 
but the brick kept rolling over Mr. Hughes. I spoke 
to him, and he said, 'I am all right now.' I placed a 
board over his face in such a way as to protect him 
from the brick that kept rolling down. A man came 
along and began to pound this board, trying to break 
it, not seeming to notice that every blow was tor- 
ture to Mr. Hughes. The man was evidently con- 
fused. As soon as I could get Mr. Hughes out I car- 
ried him to the ruins of Dr. Eple\'\s oftice. We were 
there, with others, seeking shelter on the north 
and east side when the second blow and rain came. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 177 

There were a lot of people standing on the east side 
when Dr. Epley came along and said: 'Gracious! 
This isn't safe. This shell of an ofifice will fall over 
onto you.' And the people tamely jostled each other 
along toward the north side. We went back to hunt 
for Mr. Hughes' son, but, although we made a good 
search, we did not find him then. After this I went 
home and hitched up my colt to a light wagon. I 
put a mattress in the wagon, and started for such a 
night's work as I hope never to do again. I went 
back down town, and carried the dead and injured 
all through the night, — some to houses, some to the 
churches, and some to the schoolhouse. I carried 
Charles Lanphear from the ruins of Henry Beal's 
store to the Stout residence, Mrs. Lewis to Mrs. Bar- 
rett's, little Frank Lewis (who was dead) and Mr. 
Wills (who afterwards died) to the Congregational 
church. Mrs. Wills lost her husband, her son and 
her mother. Thomas McCabe, who had graduated 
only the previous Thursday, was taken out dead from 
the ruins of the Patton & Carey store. I carried 
him and a man who had both legs broken, whom I did 
not then recognize, although he had been a school- 
mate of mine, to the schoolhouse. The latter said he 
had been robbed while he lay on the street unable to 
help himself. T also took Mr. Gunderson to the 
schoolhouse, and Mr. Walsh to Mrs. Barrett's, I think. 
"There was a man, whose name I do not know, 
whose foot was caught under a heavv timber, on Main 
street. The timber was held down bv some heavy 
stuflf, in such a way that it could not be moved. I 

12 



lyS A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

heard the man yelling as the fire near him grew hot- 
ter : 'Cut off my foot ! Cut off my foot !' Then he 
yelled: 'Kill me! Kill me before I burn to death!' 
There didn't seem to be any way to help him, the 
fire was so hot there. They couldn't bring water 
fast enough. Perhaps they couldn't find anything 
to do it with, or perhaps no one dared to cut off his 
floot. They tried to find a doctor, but they couldn't 
get one soon enough. 

"I took Mr. Tatro to his home on East Second 
street. He was conscious of every jolt, and said that 
was the roughest road he ever traveled. He won- 
dered where I was taking him. I told him that I was 
picking out the best road I could find, and that the 
street was full of everything. I drove down the 
Omaha Railroad track to get to the site of the Haw- 
kins residence. In some places the stuff was ten 
feet high. My colt is usually nervous, but that night 
she behaved just as if she knew that she had a duty 
to perform. 

''We found Millie and Vangie Hawkins, and took 
them to the Catholic church. I saw Rob Hawkins 
there, and I went over and spoke to him, and asked 
him to come and look at the bodies we had brought 
in. I said, 'Are these young ladies your sisters?' 
He did not think at first that they were, but it proved 
to be the sad truth. Then early in the morning I 
went with Mr. Hollenbeck to his place. There we 
found Mason, his son, a young man employed at the 
Omaha depot, but who had been at home sick with 



STORIES OF THK PARTICIPANTS. 179 

the measles. His head was under some timbers. 
Probably he was killed right away. Mrs. Hollen- 
beck had been moved during the night, and Archie, 
about ten years old, had not been found. This is a 
part of the work that I did. Mr. Hillier worked right 
along with me, most of the time." 

The name of the man who was burned, referred to 
by Mr. Frizzell, is a matter of conjecture. Mr. Con- 
rad states that he spoke with a man who was pinned 
down by the foot near the rear end of Mrs. Aldrich's 
store, and that he tried to pull him out. The man 
wanted some one to unjoint his leg at the knee. Mr. 
Sam Horn was there, and was asked to perform the 
operation ; but it was too formidable. It is said that 
a revolver was procured with the thought that it 
would be humane to put the man out of his misery. 
But the deed was not consummated. When last seen 
the man was up on one knee writhing about and try- 
ing to get his foot out, and the fire burning close to 
him. 

Mr. W. J. Hillier witnessed the storm from a point 
near the corner of Fourth and Arch streets. The wind 
took him off his feet twice, as he was running toward 
his home. Finding that he could not reach home, he 
held on to a small tree. A runaway team came dash- 
ing toward him. He beat it ofif with his umbrella. 
He saw all sorts of timbers, portions of houses, trees 
and animals (some appeared to be chickens) whirling 
through the air. He saw, also, what seemed to be 
balls of fire mingled with the blackness. A tree was 



l8o A MODERN HERCUl^ANEUM. 

taken up by the roots, and hurled over Dr. Murdock's 
house, and the belfry of the Congregational church 
was carried slowly toward the east, across the street. 
Then he saw it suddenly and swiftly snatched back, in 
a northwesterly direction, and dashed down in front of 
the church, upside down. Mr. Hillier then went home 
to see if his family were safe. Finding them all right, 
he went down town to help rescue people from the 
ruins. The first one he found was Katie Early. She 
lay in the street, in front of Mr. Johns' shoe store. 
She was carried to Mr. Maloney's house, where she 
died in about three hours. Then he helped at the 
Nicollet House, taking out Katie McKinnon, Mr. 
Carey, the druggist, and one of the girls, supposed to 
be Miss Johnson. Then he worked at Patton & 
Carey's drug store. They took out Harry Water- 
house, who had his feet hurt. After that he went 
home after his lantern, haunted by the remembrance 
of the cold hand that grasped ^Ir. Waterhouse's coat 
between the shoulders. This proved to be the hand 
of Thomas McCabe, who was dead when found. 

Mr. W. H. Ivounsbury: "I could not see the 
clouds on account of the trees around Mr. Powell's 
house, but it was bombarded by boards and limbs of 
trees, one board coming through the kitchen door, 
knocking it from its hinges. I immediately started 
for the store when the storm was past, the way being 
much impeded by branches of trees. Every few rods 
it was necessary to stop and take one's bearings after 
reaching the W. S. Williams' corner, if trying to reach 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. l8l 

a certain spot, as was my case. What had been the 
main street was two winrows of rubbish, and the road- 
way was filled up. I realized that my brother and 
partner, Mr. B. F. Powell, must be buried somewhere 
in that mass of ruins, and naturally gave my attention 
to his recovery. It was no small task to locate the 
store. I saw two men pull a man out onto the side- 
walk. He was dead. They told me the place was 
Tatro's. In my haste I reached Glover's before I 
mounted the ruins. At this time the wind was blow- 
ing so fiercely that I could scarcely stand, especially 
on the uneven footing. I called loudly to anyone 
who might be buried there, but got no answer. Pass- 
ing off the west end of the floor, I turned south until 
signs of my own place appeared. Here I found a 
blaze. I gathered up some soaked fur robes and 
smothered out the fire. Glover's clerk (Mr. Arn- 
quist) assisted in this. As events proved, this fire 
would have been upon us before the work of rescue 
could have been completed. Continuing my search, 
the street end of the store was reached before any re- 
ply came to my calls ; then it was faint, and came from 
beneath the largest heap, formed by our brick wall 
and the roof of the adjoining building. I commenced 
at once to tunnel through six feet of brick and other 
matter. When I reached Mr. Powell, I found him 
so pinned down that my unaided strength could ac- 
complish little. In digging for him, I uncovered Mr. 
Frank McCloud, who pulled himself out of the hole 
and walked oft' with a badlv battered head, but no 



1 82 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

doubt a thankful heart. Assistance was hard to get, 
as people were either looking for their own, crazed, 
or merely curious. If one succeeded in getting two 
or three of these to help, they would go in a few min- 
utes without a word, leaving you to your own feeble 
efforts. Fully an hour elapsed after getting down 
to the imprisoned victim before the men who came to 
my aid finally completed the rescue. These men 
have our grateful thanks. As to the image of a 
man who took advantage of the occasion to attempt 
robbery, the Lord will deal with him in his own way. 

"One can never realize how puny his unaided 
strength is until he finds himself above an imprisoned 
person whose cries and groans are urging him to 
greater efforts, and he feels his strength gradually 
going, but still works on in sheer desperation. Re- 
garding the wreck and ruin on very hand, a numb- 
ness came over one's sensibilities that shut out all 
realization of property loss. Life and limb were the 
first consideration, and people were content if on 
taking an inventory they found these items intact. 

"On reaching home with the rescued party, we 
found the house converted into a morgue and hospi- 
tal. Everyone, injured and sound, were drenched 
with rain, but this in most cases could not be reme- 
died, and was scarcely noticed. As the night ad- 
vanced, and relatives and friends arrived from out of 
town, and failed to find those they sought, wails and 
shrieks rang out on the night air, making the situation 
still more horrible. 



STORIES OF THIC PARTICIPy\NTS. 183 

"I have written a simple, abbreviated account of 
my own part in that night's experience, while sitting 
in a room watching the struggles of a victim to retain 
the life that was then spared.* 

Mrs. McKinnon heard a noise on the street which 
made her think there was a runaway team going by. 
Looking out of the east door she found the disturb- 
ance was caused by people running and calling 
''Hurry! Hurry!" ''Get to your cellars!" She sup- 
poses that those on the east side of the street had 
seen the approaching storm more clearly than those 
upon the west. People outside seemed to be fright- 
ened, but Mr. Carey and others came in, smiling, as 
if not much concerned, and sat down to supper. But 
Mrs. McKinnon said, "I am not satisfied about the 
looks of the clouds," and went to the kitchen door, 
on the west side of the house, to look out. She saw 
timbers and parts of trees in the air, and exclaimed, 
"Something terrible is going to happen," and rushed 
back through the dining room, in her haste pushing 
aside tables and chairs. A traveling man in the din- 
ing room was urging servants and others to go into 
the cellar. When she reached the public parlor she 
found Mr. McKinnon there. He had gathered the 
children together, and made the tour of the rooms 
looking for Mrs. McKinnon, and was just saying, 
"Where is your mother?" Just as she entered Katie 
said, "Let's pray," and kneeled down. These were 

*Mr. and Mrs. Powell and Mr. Lounsbury were all obliged 
to go south to spend the winter, on account of shattered health. 



184 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

her last words. The mother had partly kneeled when 
the house was struck. She saw a brick tiying in 
through the window ; then the house fell. 

Mr. and Airs. McKinnon were rescued first. Lit- 
tle Alice and Nina Barrett, who were both slender, 
got out through a small aperture. Alice climbed up, 
and stood upon a big timber, projecting up into the 
air, until taken down. She was above everything on 
Alain street. When asked what she thought when 
she found herself up there, she answered : "I thought 
I was in heaven waiting for the rest of you to come 
up." Bertie was pinned down by debris across the 
back of her neck, her head pushed forward upon her 
breast. She called as long as her strength held out, 
but her voice was so faint she could hardly be heard 
At length Air. A. C. Alyers put his head down to an 
opening and called, "Who is in there?" Then he 
said, "Bertie is in there," and the rescuers, who had 
been working about that place searching for Air. T. 
Newell, divided into two crews, one crew working 
for Bertie and one for Air. Newell. It was three 
hours before they could get her out. Her eyes were 
bloodshot and swollen for weeks, and she told of her 
awful experience. — vomiting lime and blood, and 
trying to keep alive and keep calling. She also saw 
the brick come in through the window before the 
house fell, and was herself blown across the house 
into a bedroom, and noticed that all the furniture had 
alreadv disappeared from the room. Airs. AIcKin- 
non, Alice and Bertie, Nina Barrett, a circus man, 



STORIKS OF THJC PARTICIPANTS. 185 

who had his hand l)adly cut, the dininj^-room ^lv\ and 
the dish washer left tlie ruins and took shelter from 
the pourin.f,^ rain in Air. McCoy's kitchen, rloin^r up 
each other's wounds. There were others lyin<^ upon 
the dinin^»--room floor. Air. McCoy was brought 
home with his leg broken and otherwise injured Mrs. 
McCoy had at the time an infant a few hours old 
Mr. McKinnon and others worked all night at the 
ruins. The body of his daughter Katie was not re- 
covered until the next day. Tt is thc)nght that her 
neck was broken, so that she suffered instant death. 
Among others killed at the Nicollet were Mr. Carey 
and Matilda Johnson.. 

Mr. Sevrin Oleson : ''At about six o'clock, on 
June 1 2th, I was waiting upon one of the circus per- 
formers. Another stranger and my partner, Mr. Le- 
gard, were also in the shop at the time. All at once 
we heard an awful roar, and running to the front door, 
one glance was enough to determine the cause, for 
the tornado was then not much more than a block 
away. The two strangers ran out from the building, 
and Mr. Legard ran back for his coat and hat, and 
started for the front door again, but I do not think 
he reached it before he was struck (k)wn and killed 
Meanwhile I ran to the back end of the shop and 
turned off our gasoline stove. As I did this the back 
door slammed shut, and the glass began flying. 1 
had intended to run for Berg & J dodge's cellar, but 
got only half-way up the store when I was picked 
up, whirled around, and thrown down, right by the 



1 86 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

side of the cutting counter, and buried in the ruins 
of the building. I think I lay there about half an 
hour before I received help. I have no words with 
which to describe the terrible scene which met my 
eye as I was helped out. I remember seeing the head 
of one man and arms and legs of others sticking out 
from the ruins. Shrieks and calls for help came from 
everyw^here. These are the facts of my experience 
as I remember them." 

The roof of Mr. Oleson's house was carried across 
the river, a distance of half a mile. 

While Mr. E. A. Glover and Mr. D. H. Dodge 
were working at the ruins near the tailor shop of Ole- 
son & Legard, there was one man exceedingly in- 
patient. He seemed to be in a great hurry, and to 
feel that his case ought to be attended to before any 
other. He not only ^'kicked," according to slang 
parlance, but he cursed, and swore at the rescuers. 
When they got down far enough so they could see 
him, Mr. Glover thought they had heard enough of 
such talk and told him so. He was a stranger to 
them. As they kept on working, he kept on swear- 
ing. At last Mr. Glover could stand it no longer. 
"Now," he said, ''I want you to shut up. Don't let 
me hear another word of such talk, or we'll leave you. 
You ought to be thanking God that you are alive." 
Presently they took him out. Looking down at his 
besmeared and torn clothing he exclaimed, ''My God ! 
Just look at those six dollar pants I just bought!" 

Mr. E. A. Glover: ''In the southwest I noticed a 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 187 

very black cloud, extending from the earth to the 
sky. It was narrow, and its sides were parallel and 
perpendicular. I saw no color but black. I was 
not frightened, for it was some distance away. I 
went back into the store, and afterwards went out a 
second time. At that time there was no wind nor 
rain. I returned to the store, and stood near my of- 
fice, not knowing just what to do. Just at that mo- 
ment a farmer came in at the front door directly to- 
wards me. I felt at once that he was making for the 
cellar door, at my left and in the rear of the store. 
A clerk behind the counter divined his motive, and 
followed in his wake. This aroused me to action, 
and catching my eight-year-old boy (who had just 
come in) by the arm, I arrived at the cellar door first. 
To my horror I found that I could not enter, although 
the door was open and the way clear. I could see no 
one in the cellarway, and no current of air prevented 
me from entering, but I could not go down. There 
was nothing to do but to stand there with my son 
and await the results. The clerk and the farmer stood 
just behind me. Turning half way around I could 
see outdoors through the back windows. My horse 
and wagon stood in plain view. The horse was 
plunging as though being severely goaded. There 
was then a strong wind, and it was getting darker. 
A great swirl of wind came in at the open front door 
(east), and I felt that an awful moment was at hand. 
I could see, although it was very dark, and looking up 
to the ceiling in the rear of the store I saw it part 



l88 A MODERN HERCULANKUM. 

about midway. The deafening crash was upon us, 
and the building collapsed, the walls falling outward 
so that no brick came down upon our unprotected 
heads. The roof was fortunately blown away. The 
floor remained under our feet, and the timbers fell 
about us, forming a little coop around us four people 
about eighteen inches wide and four feet long. We 
had to climb up about four feet. We were then on 
the main floor of the store, with the building gone. 
As far as I could see everything was flat. My first 
thought was of my wife and little daughter, three 
blocks east, but I reasoned that they must be safe, as 
I thought where the store was must be about the cen- 
ter of the storm. My state of mind was something 
frightful. My wife must know first of all that we were 
safe. Taking my boy by the hand, and going by a 
circuitous route, made necessary by a world of debris, 
in which lay dozens of dead and dying animals, and 
seeing people coming out of cellars and calling and 
crying for those whom they could not find, I at last 
reached home, and found my family uninjured. A 
cold driving rain had commenced to fall. I spoke 
to my wife of the dreadful state of things, and then 
went back down town, remembering the calls for 
help." 

Mrs. Glover had called her son, but as he did not 
come at her call took her little girl in her arm and 
paced the floor. When Mr. Glover came panting in 
with the boy, he took Mrs. Glover down cellar, where 
she had not thought of going, and told her he wanted 

* Mr. Glover passed a part of the winter in the hospital on ac- 
count of shattered health. 



STORIES OF the: PARTICIPANTS. 189 

her to remember after that where to go when she saw 
such a thing as that coming. Then Mr. Glover went 
away, and Mrs. Glover ran through her back yard to 
Mrs. Allen's. She ran against a strange animal es- 
caped from the circus, but was not frightened, onlv 
surprised a little : turned out of its way and ran on. 
She thinks the animal w^as a kangaroo. A two-by- 
four scantling was shot in at their upper south win- 
dow through the ceiling into a bedroom below. 

The rescue of Mrs. Brockbank and her children 
seems to have been much delayed. Men who drove 
in from Somerset, eight miles away, aided in the 
start. The time had seemed very long to Mrs. Brock- 
bank, powerless to move or do anything to help her 
three children. It is thought that two of the children 
were instantly killed by some immense pressure, as 
they were not disfigured. Essie spoke several times 
to her mother, at first quite naturally, but gradually 
her voice became weaker. She said somethmg heavy 
laid on her breast. Two or three times she asked 
if anyone would come to help them out. Her mother 
told her she was sure they would just as soon as they 
could. She said : ''Mamma, thev are a long time 
coming to help us," and after a time, "Mamma, do 
you think they will ever come?" "Oh, yes," her 
mother replied ; "I think they will be here very soon 
now." At length she said, wearily and faintly: 
"Mamma, I must bid you good-bye. I can't stand 
the hurt any longer." She repeated a little prayer 
and passed away. The rescuers came at length. 
There was but a small space to work in, and only 



igo A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

two, or at most three, could work there ; but at length 
all were taken out and carried to the schoolhouse. 
Mrs. Brockbank was afterwards removed to the hos- 
pital at St. Paul. She did not see her children again. 
Mr. E. O. Kaye says : "Having left my store for an 
early dinner with my wife and children, who had come 
to meet and walk home with me, we noticed heavy 
clouds gathering, and, in fact, waited a few minutes 
for a heavy shower to pass over. AVe then hurried 
home and ate our dinner, which was awaiting us. 
We arose from the table a few minutes before six. 
My wife, two babies and myself repaired to the front 
porch, where I sat in the hammock, my wife in a little 
rocking chair, and the children playing about us. 
Another shower came up, and the children were amus- 
ing themselves with the large hail stones which were 
then falling, when, noticing that it was growing very 
dark for that hour, I said I would take a look 
upstairs and see if the windows were closed. In 
closing one on the south side, I glanced out, and was 
startled at the sight that met my eyes. I saw the 
demon, in cylinder shape, some two or three miles 
distant, and heard a roar that sounded like that of a 
railroad train rushing over a trestle while you are un- 
derneath. I shouted 'Get to the cellar !' and slid down 
stairs, hardly knowing how. The girl took the baby 
and started, and I took the other child to the cellar 
steps, where I gave him to my wife, and they hurried 
into a corner. I remained on the top step for a mo- 
ment, with the door partially open, watching until T 
saw the kitchen door blown in and the windows come 



vSTORIKS OF THE PARTICIPANTS. igi 

flying in, followed by branches, timbers, bricks, etc. 
I then closed the cellar door and hurried to where the 
rest of the family were huddled together. I only re- 
mained there for a few^ moments, and then w^ent up 
to the second story, where, upon seeing the sky with 
that yellowish green, and the air smelling of a pecu- 
liar gas, I could not help but exclaim, 'My God ! Is 
this not enough?' As I turned to go back to the cel- 
lar a four-foot piece of 2x4 timber came flying 
through the opening once a window, and crashed 
through the partition about three feet from where I 
stood, w^arning me of my dangerous position. 1 went 
to the cellar again, w^here I found two other families 
besides my own crouched in corners. In a minute or 
two I went back upstairs, to find windows and doors 
gone, and friends and comrades carrying the dead and 
dying into the rooms that were at all habitable, where 
some of them were compelled to lie, wrapped up in 
the w^et rugs, all night. On going- down town after 
medicine and bandages to relieve their sufferings and 
bind up their wounds, I beheld, not only our store 
utterly destroyed, but also Patton & Carey's and Mrs. 
Aldrich's, together with every place of business of 
any description in the city. Fortunately as I was re- 
turning I found in the street a package containing a 
bottle of liquor, with which I hastened home, and 
we divided it among the wounded and used it to^ the 
best advantage. That bottle was worth a fortune 
that night. After the children had cried themselves 
to sleep, my wife and Miss Gilbert came upstairs, and 



192 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

we washed the wounded, and wherever we could lo- 
cate a sliver of wood removed it, in spite of the groans 
and cries of the poor creatures. 

"I nearly forgot to mention the feeling of awe 
that must have fallen upon every person that beheld 
the sunset on that scene of desolation and death, about 
7 :30 that evening. As for myself, I could have almost 
cursed the sun for shedding light, as if in mockery, on 
that awful scene. 

''On the following day we noticed some of the 
peculiar results of the storm. One was a two-inch 
screw driven head first into the solid wood of the 
casing, which we were unable to pull out with a claw 
hammer ; also, nails and pieces of brick in the doors 
inside of the houses. We also noticed the trees en- 
tirely stripped of bark, and the south side of these 
tree trunks would make good sandstone board. 
Pieces of small iron wheels and extras for binders 
were carried from Tobin's store, three blocks away, 
and imbedded in the side of the house, and some 
through the roof. The chair in which Airs. Kaye sat 
just before the storm cannot be found. One of the 
pitiful things I saw on the street Tuesday was an old 
pig, burned and evidently dying, and a little young 
one, with its head nestled up to the mother's, not 
seeming to understand why she took no notice of it." 

Mrs. A. G. Boehm says: ''The morning of the 
1 2th of June dawned as usual on New Richmond, 
without any particular change in the weather appear- 
ing noticeable, or warning of what was to come. We 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. I93 

arose at the usual hour, prepared our simple break- 
fast, I going to church to perform my devotions as 
was my custom, and Mr. Boehm going to his shop. 
Before leaving after breakfast he informed me he was 
likely to drive to Star Prairie in the afternoon, im- 
mediately after dinner. Ah, if he had gone ! How- 
ever, as the hours passed the weather became variable; 
an ominous darkness overspread the firmament ; little 
eddies of wind would raise and whirl the dust of the 
roads occasionally. Then, again, rain, and finally an 
intense calm. During the forenoon I practiced on 
my piano, little thinking it w^ould be the last time, 
placing my gold watch upon it, in order not to exceed 
the time required to prepare dinner. My watch, a 
very valuable one, I never saw again, though several 
times I have offered, through the papers, rewards 
for its recovery. My piano, — well, it shared the same 
fate with others, though, strange to say, although 
the case was defaced and destroyed (a complete 
wreck), the works were uninjured, and as perfect as 
when first made. The Conover-Cable Company, 
from whom it was purchased, sent for the instrument, 
and is booming the Kingsbury pianos on account of 
the wonderful strength of the works which could with- 
stand the awful pressure of that terrible cyclone. Dur- 
ing dinner Mr. Boehm casually remarked that he 
feared a rain storm would prevent his driving to Star 
Prairie that afternoon, yet if it cleared ofT he would 
go. But as the hours passed the darkness increased, 
and occasionally I would rise from the book I was 

13J 



194 ^ modt:rx hfirculankum. 

reading to go to look at the weather. I saw Mr. 
Boehm and others do the same. 

'It was 4:30 p. m., but strange to say, I thought 
it was an hour later, so I prepared supper and lighted 
lamps, for darkness continued. I felt that a terrible 
storm was approaching, so I closed windows and 
doors. Then I looked at the clock, and found I was 
an hour too soon. As I waited a fearful, unknown 
dread seemed to take possession of me. I prayed 
cind reviewed my life, thinking how frail we are amid 
the convulsions of nature ; for I was always afraid of 
storms. Yet not for a moment did I realize the fearful 
calamity about to follow. I looked at the clock once 
more ; it was ten minutes to six. That was the last. 
The darkness became more intense. Then came a 
loud roaring, as of mighty winds, which I took for the 
noise of the trains, though I thought it was louder 
than usual that evening. Presently Mr. Boehm came 
dashing in the door, followed by his dogs, calling 
in great excitement : 'To the cellar ! To the cel- 
lar! Quick! Quick! Put out the lights!' I re- 
plied, quite calmly: 'Why, Albert, is there danger?' 
'Yes; quick! quick! follow me.' Down the cellar we 
went. He placed his back to the southwest angle, 
drawing me towards him. Then I prayed, as I never 
did before, to God to save our town and people, for 
I realized by the deafening noise the calamity was 
upon us. Mr. Boehm stood perfectlv calm, with his 
head bowed and his arms stretched over me. Oh. I 
will never forget those awful moments, expecting 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. I95 

everyone to be the last. I heard the breaking of the 
glass in the windows above us, as though some im- 
mense force was crushing it into powder. Then I 
glanced up for an instant, to see the little cellar win- 
dow to our left disengaging itself from the foundation 
by some invisible giant force, and the shallow ma- 
sonry falling in around us. It was enough — all I 
wished to see. When I emerged from the covering 
of Mr. Boehm's arms it was to find us standing in the 
cellar, with no roof but the canopy of the heavens 
over us, and the rain pouring in torrents. I was 
thinly clad; my head was without coverino'; the tem- 
perature was fallinsf to chillness. How were we to 
climb out of the cellar? The stairs were gone, but a 
nlank board lay crosswise, blown in by the storm, and 
bv it we crept up. Oh, the sight that met our g-aze 
then! First, our pretty home was gone, with all it 
contained of precious memory to me. But we did 
not dwell long on useless repining. Our lives were 
saved. Then we cried : 'Our neighbors ! Our 
neighbors ! Our dear neighbors !' Yes, we were on 
the most friendly terms with them all. Too much 
praise cannot be given them, for even after all was 
over they showed their goodness of heart and never- 
to-be-forgotten sympathy. I can never feel suffi- 
ciently grateful for their great kindness in the hour 
of need. The rest of that awful night we passed at 
Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett's, who did all in their power 
for our comfort and that of the crowds which sought 
shelter under their hospitable roof. Soon the 



196 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

wounded and dying were brought in. Mrs. Bartlett's 
dainty carpets and mattresses were utilized for beds. 
Many of the latter were wet, for the cyclone damaged 
the whole west side of the house, knocking the cupola 
off: hence, the rain came through. One of my car- 
pets, which was rescued from the ruins of our home, 
and which was a seamless one, served as an effective 
covering for the hole in the roof left by the toppling 
of the cupola. 

"Mr. Boehm did good service for the wounded. 
! did all I could for those brought to Mrs. Bartlett's 
dwelling. Mr. Boehm's and my clothing being soak- 
mg wet, Mrs. Bartlett gave me a flannel dressing 
gown, and I believe that saved my life. Mr. Boehm 
'buffered afterwards from th-e effects of the exposure. 

"Our pet dogs would never come down into the 
cellar at any time, so the night of the cyclone they 
remained in the house, and the valuable brown spaniel, 
which had a record, was killed. Mr. Boehm whistled 
for them after the storm, and Tessie, our black 
pointer, responded, coming from under a heap of 
debris, and sitting on the top of it, put up her two 
front paws, and begged for forgiveness, as though she 
were guilty. Mr. Boehm said cheerily to her, 'Tessie, 
you did not cause the cyclone.' So she was happv. 
1 regret very much that I lost, with all I possessed, 
books I had borrowed. If in the future I can pos- 
sibly replace them, I will do so with pleasure. 

"Our heroic and most energetic pastor, Rev. Dr. 
Degnan, passed through Mr. Bartlett's, to see what 



STORIES OF TTIK PARTICIPANTS. ig7 

assistance he could render to the wounded and dying. 
Two days later kind friends from St. Paul came and 
took me away. Previous to my leaving I procured 
a skirt from Mrs. Baker, a hat from Mrs. Bartlett, 
and a cape from Miss V. Beuler. Thus equipped, T 
arrived in St. Paul, and was ushered into the carriage 
of Kerwan, which was in waiting at the depot for 
himself and daughter. The former walked to make 
room for Mrs. Mealey and myself. In St. Paul I re- 
mained two months, receiving every attention and 
sympathy from my kind friend. While there T visited 
the hospital, and saw many of the New Richmond 
sufferers. 

''This is but a brief synopsis of my experience. 

Mrs. Oakes says : "I was at hom.e alone all the 
afternoon. When the rain and hail came at six o'clock 
T remembered that the hail corresponded in appear- 
ance with that which fell in River Falls previous to 
the small tornado that occurred there a short time 
before ; that is, it was very uneven, and apparently 
v/elded together. I watched the clouds, and saw dis- 
tinctly two funnel shaped clouds approach slowly. 
Mr. Oakes came running home from the office, and 
I said we were goirng to have a bad storm from indi- 
cations, and suggested our going down cellar. He 
said, 'Have you a fire in the kitchen?' I said, 'Yes.' 
He said, 'We shall be burned,' and tried to put out the 
fire. Our next-door neighbor, Mrs. Patton, with her 
little girl, Margaret, ran over, and said, T am going 
into the cellar with you.' I turned on the electric 



1 98 



MODERN HERCULANEUM. 



light on my way down the stairs, all the time 
calling- Mr. Oakes to come down. We had just got 
to the cellar when the cellar window blew in and 
sticks flew past outside. Mr. Oakes fell down the 
cellar stairs, the wind taking his hat off and away as 
he came. We found onrselves holding each other 
tightly. The house went without our knowing it, 
except for the pelting we received from sticks, stones 
and dust. My feeling was that if we could stand it 
a minute it would be all over. I reasoned that it was 
a cyclone, and I felt only thankfulness that Mr. Oakes 
was w4th me. I w^as not in the least afraid, nor did 
I think of death. It seemed only a short time (a min- 
ute or so) till the. stones and sticks ceased flying. Mr. 
Oakes took Margaret Patton, and carried her out of 
the cellar, and Mrs. Patton and I followed. Such a 
scene ! From all along our street forms rose from the 
cellars as from graves on the resurrection morning. 
Mr. Oakes helped carry Mr. Gould, who was badly 
hurt, to Mr. Knight's, whose house remained stand- 
ing, although bereft of all windows and roof, then 
came for me. During the heavy wind and rain that 
came immediately afterwards, we clung together to a 
stub of a tree, lying flat on the ground to avoid being 
blown awa}\ When the wind had abated a little, we 
took refuge in Mr. Tobin's cellar, w^hich had some 
protection left over it, and there Mr. Oakes left me to 
seek his partner, whom he supposed was in the barber 
shop, down town. I went across to Mr. Knight's 
soon, where I stayed till Mr. Oakes brought me to Mr. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 



199 



Smith's, about 9:30. Mr. Oakes, in the meantime, 
was busy rescuing whom he could find among the 
ruins of our desolated city." 

Mrs. John Patton :* "The roar was like that of a 
wild animal, only a thousand times louder than any 
noise that I ever heard. It hurt my ears so that I 
thought I could never hear again if I wasn't killed. 
Almost as soon as we reached the cellar the north 
window blew in ; which seemed strange, as the storm 
was coming from the southwest. So many have 
asked if there was an awful crash when the house went, 
but the roar of the cyclone was so great that we 
wouldn't have known when it did go except for the 
sand and stones coming in on us. When we came 
out of the cellar the cyclone was only half a block off, 
and it looked like a huge black wall moving along 
on the ground and taking everything as it went. I 
saw a horse landed from somewhere, and shake itself 
as though it had been in the water. I think that 
most of my things went to the northwest. One piano 
leg was found a half a block to the northwest and 
another by the railroad track to the northeast. Mrs. 
Allen and Lottie and Mrs. Edwards picked up all that 
was saved. I found my bottle of toilet cream all right, 
and it was sitting beside our big coal stove, which 
was entirely demolished. 

Mrs. A. Tobin, calling Miss Neitge, who hved 
with her, took her little son in her arms and ran into 
the cellar. Then, thinking of the fire in the kitchen 
stove just above, she ran up again and into the dining 



*Since deceased. 



200 A MODERN HERCf^LANEUM. 

room. She placed her son upon the floor and covered 
him with her body to protect him. Miss Neitge was 
frantic, and ran from one door to another, trying to 
open them, desperately wrenching at the knobs and 
pulling, but could not get one open. A part of the 
house was carried away, but the dining room was 
left. Next Airs. Tobin set out to find her husband. 
She went to Mrs. Knight's, and, although Mrs. 
Knight wanted to keep the child there, the mother 
clung to him, and ran on down street until she met 
Mr. Tobin. They then returned to their house, and 
as the second blow came up they hastened to their 
cellar bulkhead, not knowing it w^as filled up, and call- 
ed to those whom they saw on the street. ''This is 
a cellar; come in!" Several hastened that way, 
among them Mrs. Cummer and her sons, carrying 
the fainting Mr. Hurley, and Mr. Edward Neitge, who 
had left Mr. Garrity as he supposed dead, but only 
unconscious, at the Stout place. All whose hands 
were disengaged cleared out the bulkhead, so the 
party went in there for awhile, then sought drier 
quarters. 

The family of Mr. Geo. ^^^ells were at the supper 
table when they heard the noise of the storm. They 
left the table and went to the cellar, Mrs. Wells taking 
Katherine (aged five), Jennie Ammonson, the baby, 
and Mr. Wells leading his mother, who was much 
disturbed and frightened. Mrs. Wells snatched a 
shawl, and carried it along, thinking to protect the 
children from the dampness of the cellar. It was 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 20I 

pulled away from her while on the stairs. Mr. Wells 
jumped down the last steps just as the house went. 
Looking up Mrs. Wells saw the cloud rolling over 
them. She said she felt as if she were in the depths 
of the sea, and that thick black waves were rolling 
over them. She felt damp and cold. No one in the 
cellar was seriously injured, although the older Mrs. 
Wells was thrown over and covered with debris, and 
sustained some bruises. Mrs. Wells said, ''The house 
is gone!" ''Yes," her husband said; "everything!" 
And the tone of his voice and the expression of his 
face, as he raised up and looked over the town, were 
convincing proofs that he realized that there had been 
terrible havoc wrought. 

The family of Mr. W. S. Gould, father of Mrs. 
George \\^ells, lived in the house next to them. The 
first thought of the Wells family was to look for Mr. 
and Mrs. Gould. They had also been at tea when the 
roaring was heard. Mrs. Gould said, "What shall 
we do about mother?" Mrs. Greaton, her mother, 
aged ninety-three years, was upstairs and was in feeble 
health. Mrs. Gould had just been up to see her, and 
she lay comfortably in her bed. Mr. Gould started 
after her, but the storm struck the front of the house, 
and Mrs. Gould cried, "It's a cyclone ! Come to the 
cellar, quick!" Mr. Gould did not reach the cellar. 
Mrs. Gould was struck by a flying timber just as she 
got down stairs. Mr. Gould was found about fifty 
feet from the house, all in a little heap. He seemed 
Hke a child, he was so curled up and looked so small. 



202 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

He did not lose consciousness, although terribly 
bruised and wounded, and talked some as he was as- 
sisted to Mr. Knight's cellar, just as the second 
"blow" came up. They remained with him about 
two hours in the cellar, then took him to the Mr. 
Bosworth's. Here he suffered for ten days, then died 
of septic meningitis. He was patient, gentle, and 
hopeful until the last. He said that if he had been 
killed by the blows he received at the time he would 
not have realized the cause of his death. The house 
went so quickly after he turned toward the cellar that 
he was carried outdoors like a flash. Mrs. Greaton, 
the aged grandmother, was not found until the next 
morning, though ^Ir. Orrin Greaton, her son, made 
an early and careful search for her. Mrs. Wells went 
the next morning and located the portions of her 
grandmother's room. They were nearly west of the 
foundation, about fifty feet. Then others w^ent and 
found Mrs. Greaton. The outer wall had fallen over 
her as she lay on her mattress, her head on the pillow. 
A brick lay upon her chest, but she was only slightly 
bruised. She apparently had not stirred since her 
daughter had left her sleeping. For many weeks she 
had said she was ready to go, "wdienever the Lord 
called" her. So this beloved old Christian was laid 
to rest, and but few of her many friends knew the time 
of her burial, so absorbed were all the people of the 
place in sorrow and affliction, so great was the con- 
fusion and so meager were the conveniences for in- 
formation. Even the church bell, which should have 



STORTKS OF TTTE PARTICIPANTS. 2O3 

called us together to render the last acts of respect 
to her and other, dear departed ones, lay mute in the 
streets of our sad little city. 

Mrs. H. M. Jameson : ''Mother exclaimed : 'We 
are going- to have a storm, and I never saw the sky 
look as it does now.' I had a brisk fire for tea, but 
mother could not eat any supper, neither would Clyde. 
The latter went to her room, taking her shoes off, and 
sat by her south window, and mother sat watching 
at the south window in the dining room. Suddenly 
she cried, 'Look, quick, at the cloud !' Before looking 
I caught a pail of water standing near and threw it 
into the stove, extinguishing the fire instantly. When 
1 reached the window I understood the nature of the 
monster we were to l)attle against. I have a recol- 
lection of going into the closet and catching a mat- 
tress and comfortable. I remember thinking: 'We 
may be in the cellar a long time.' I called Clyde on 
my way to the stairs. She rushed down without 
thinking of shoes, as her poor feet testified to after 
the storm. We stood in tne southwest corner, mother 
directly in the corner. I was on the outside, and had 
unconsciously wrapped the mattress around my limits. 
We had not 1)een there over a moment when darkness, 
horror, and, it seemed, utter annihilation were upon 
us. I don't think there ever was a word strong 
enough to express the awfulness of the noise. In a 
moment it began to get brighter, and, looking up, I 
discovered that the north side of the house was gone 
and the wall had come down to us. Upon trying to 



204 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

move I found I was pinned down by the rocks. x\s 
soon as I could quiet Clyde, she cleared the rocks from 
me, and I found I had been protected by the mattress 
from injury. We each took mother by the arm and 
went out over the debris. Oh, God ! What a sight 
met our gaze ! We made our way as best we could, 
mother constantly falling over the wires and other 
obstructions until it became evident that she w'as be- 
coming exhausted. We had only reached the eastern 
corner of our own yard, when a man appeared, and 
Clyde cried to him: '\\^on't you help us? We can't 
get grandma any further.' And the noble man, with 
the blood streaming over his face, came to the rescue 
and helped us to reach ]\Irs. Knight's, where we found 
many people, wounded, homeless, and, in some cases, 
the only surviving member of some happy family. 
But we, as a family, had much to be thankful for. 
We were unharmed. \\> think it remarkable that 
mother, who is eighty-one years old, was able to en- 
dure the shock. She is as well as before the storm, 
and has borne it all so sweetly, often remarking that 
she saw the rise and fall of New Richmond. Our 
family came here in 1855, when there was but one 
other house in what is now the city, the place then 
being called Foster's Crossing." 

The family of D. W. Cummer, agent of the Wis- 
consin Central Railroad, lived in a new house north 
of the one occupied by the Tobin family. Supper 
was being prepared when they noticed the storm ap- 
proaching. They thought of Mr. Hurley, the night 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 205 

Operator, who was asleep upstairs. Charles Cummer 
went up to call him, and found that he had been 
awakened by an alarm clock that had been set to go 
off at 5 :45 in the morning. For some reason it had 
failed to go off in the morning, but started to ring 
just in time to get Mr. Hurley into the cellar, not 
entirely dressed, however, having time to put on but 
one shoe. The house went down in three distinct 
crashes, thus prolonging the misery of the inmates of 
the cellar, and giving them time to wish that each 
crash would be the last. The rocks from the founda- 
tion wall came rolling into the cellar, and crushed Mr. 
Hurley's foot. When the cloud had finally passed 
over it was discovered that Mr. Hurley could not 
walk, and was fainting with pain. Mrs. Cummer and 
one of her sons were badly cut, but in the terror of the 
moment, after seeing her home carried away, it seemed 
that they must flee. The two young men managed 
to trail Mr. Hurley along by placing his arms over 
their shoulders. There seemed a providence in the 
action of the alarm clock that waked Mr. Hurley, as 
had it been necessary to waken him it is probable 
that the whole houseful would have been delayed 
going to the cellar until too late. The bed springs 
from that particular room were found away off in the 
fields, a mass of melted wire. Mrs. Cummer came 
the next morning early to see if she could pick up 
some of their belongings. She found a few things, 
and placed them in a pile, taking what she could with 
her in her arms, it being impossible for her to get 



2o6 A MODERN HERCULANKUM. 

a wagon, as all that came in sight were so quickly put 
to work. The Cummers had been taken in by Mrs. 
Helen Davis, and they were obliged to carry whatever 
they found across the river, either going by the rail- 
road bridge or around by the dam, some distance fur- 
ther south. Among the articles left to be taken at 
another time were a carpet, the head of a Wheeler & 
Wilson sewing machine, and a number of fruit jars 
from the cellar. When they returned after the rest 
of their things they had all been taken away, and were 
never recovered. This illustrates the difficulties and 
discouragements met with on every hand. Early in 
the morning, before it was fairly time for people to 
be about, men were seen carrying armfuls of things 
across the fields. They could be plainly seen by per- 
sons living across the river, and it appeared that these 
goods were being put into box cars standing on the 
Central track. It was thought at the time that the 
people who were taking the goods were the rightful 
owners, but later inquiry failed to prove this, and it 
is now thought that the box cars were used for a hid- 
ing place until night, when the articles were removed. 
The following is a record of the experiences of 
Mr. and Mrs. N. W. Edwards and Aliss Julia Johnson : 
*'The first indication we had of the approaching dan- 
ger was the oppressiveness of the atmosphere, to- 
gether with the darkness, which deepened until we 
could not see to work, and so had laid aside our sew- 
ing and went out to watch the clouds. It began as 
an ordinarv thunder shower, with still rain and an oc- 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 207 

casional flash of lightning. One flash was particu- 
larly noticeable, as it was one continuous chain from 
the center of the heavens to the horizon in the east. 
The report that followed was unusually loud. About 
this time it hailed for a few moments, and then 
quieted down to a slow, still rain. The clouds were 
rolling up like smoke from the southwest, until they 
united in the funnel-shaped cloud, which soon reached 
us on its deadly errand. 

''We started to put down the windows and close 
the doors. We had closed those downstairs, and I 
started to close the ones upstairs, which, owing to 
the earnest entreaty of Miss Johnson, I did very hur- 
riedly ; then hastened downstairs, where Miss Johnson 
stood waiting for me. She took me by the arm and 
hurried me toward the cellar. I turned to look out 
the kitchen door. By this time I saw the light 
mingled with the awful darkness, and heard the roar, 
which was similar to, but much louder than, that of an 
approaching train. I paused at the cellar window an 
instant, and saw a luminous ball with the darkness, 
and trees flying, end over end, in the air. Moved by 
the entreaties of Miss Johnson, I hastened to the cor- 
ner where she was. There we kneeled, and gave our- 
selves and dear ones into the keeping of God, and the 
awful crash was upon us. We rose to our feet, and 
braced ourselves against the southwest corner of the 
cellar. Miss Johnson being very near me. As we 
arose we put our hands above our heads for protec- 
tion. Miss Johnson received a slight bruise on the 



208 A MODKRN TlKRCri, \N1- UM. 

head, and the bones of one hand were bruised. I re- 
ceived no injuries; only a few bruises and a sHght cut 
on the left hand. As the stones piled around our 
feet we climbed on top of them. As soon as the storm 
ceased we walked out on the stones and a board 
which had been, thrown in with them. ]\Iy first 
thought was to look to the north side of town, and 
seeing the trees and houses standing felt assured that 
Mr. Edwards was safe. At the same glance I saw 
Mr. Lynch's horse standing in a crouching position, 
with a foot badly cut. It gave a pained groan, but 
stood in the same spot until led away the next day. 
The first persons we saw were Mr. and Mrs. Oakes. 
Next we heard the crying of the children in ]\Ir. Wells' 
cellar. Joined by Mr. and Mrs. Oakes, we rushed 
to see if anyone was hurt there. Next we heard a 
call for water, and saw Mrs. Cummer and the boys 
supporting the night operator. He had fainted, and 
J started for water. Every pump I passed had been 
pulled out. I succeeded in getting a bowl, and dipped 
some water out of a rain barrel and hastened back. 
This was scarcely done before the wind and rain came 
on so hard that we sought safety in Mr. Knight's cel- 
lar. Mr. Edwards and the day operator watched the 
storm until it was very near, then ran into the cellar- 
way of the Northern Grain Co.'s office. x\fter the 
storm was over they came out, congratulating them- 
selves that it had gone around until they had pro- 
ceeded several rods. Seeing the town laid flat, Mr. 
Edwards hastened homeward. In the vicinity of the 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 209 

city hall he found the road almost impassable on ac- 
count of the water from the water tank. In his search 
for home he found Mrs. Engstrom near Mr. Lynch's 
house. Mr. Lynch was trying to protect her from the 
beating rain. She said she was cold, and Mr. Edwards 
began looking for something to cover her. He found a 
piece of carpet and covered her, and then began look- 
ing for Miss Johnson and myself. After looking 
through the cellar and calling until he was convinced 
that no living being was there, he came to my sis- 
ter's, where he found us. He located us. and then 
started out to see where he could be of service. He 
carried dead and wounded until he was utterly ex- 
hausted. The first home we found that was unshat- 
tered by the storm was Mr. Day's, where Miss John- 
son and I got our supper and dry clothing. As the 
evening wore on Mr. *Atwood stopped and took us 
up to his home, as there were already two families at 
Mr. Day's. There we put in a sleepless night. At 
5 130 next morning we were on the spot we had left 
in such haste. Back of Mr. Lynch's house we found 
Mrs. Legard's little girl, who had been carried almost 
a block east. Mrs. Legard had taken her and started 
for the cellar. While she was trying to open the door 
(which seemed to be held shut), the house was blown 
away. Mrs. Legard was carried a block to the south- 
west. From the location of persons and things we 
are compelled to believe the storm was electrical in 
character, with a rotary motion. A horse standing 

*Since Deceased. 
14 



2IO A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

west of Mr. Lynch's house was thrown into his 
kitchen. The dining-room floor of our house was car- 
ried almost a block northwest. Some of Mrs. Wells' 
clothes were carried about three blocks northeast. A 
carpet from our east room, upstairs, was carried about 
two blocks northwest, and the pillows two blocks 
northeast. Some of the clothing from the bureau in 
the north room on the first floor were found on a lot 
north, and some under the stones where the woodshed 
stood, west of the house. Many of the trees in our 
block were stripped of their bark and small limbs, and 
left standing. I remember seeing a pile of books 
with a little dead pig among them. Mr. Trenholm, 
division superintendent of the Omaha Railroad, 
stayed here a week to help." 

"At the home of George C. Knight, just two blocks 
east of the Nicollet Hotel, the little son of nine years 
of age was in the yard, and by the time he was gotten 
into the house and Mrs. Knight had put out the 
kitchen fire and the lamp (which had been lighted on 
account of the sudden darkness), the storm was upon 
them, and all attempts to get into the cellar for safety 
were too late. The worst soon passed, and with it 
the windows and door ; yet the house stood firm upon 
the foundation, but was badly wrecked, being partly 
unroofed, the double windows on the north side hav- 
ing frames and all taken out. The family of seven 
escaped without any injury, except Lee, a boy four- 
teen years of age, who had his arm injured slightly by 
falling brick. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 211 

"This house, being the only one left standing ad- 
jacent to the devastated territory north and west, was 
the first refuge for quite a numl)er who escaped death 
by going into their cellars. Many of these were seri- 
ously injured, and all were drenched by the heavv 
downpour of rain. The injured gathered here, as far as 
known, were : James Vail, who has since died from 
his injuries, which were internal ; Mrs. Anton Legard, 
with a broken arm, collarbone and injured about the 
head (this lady lost her daughter and husband by 
the cyclone) ; the family of Ward S. Gould, who lived 
in house nearest to northwest; Mr. Gould, who was 
discovered by Mr. Knight's son in the ruins of his 
house; Mr. Severen Oleson, who was injured about 
the back, and also had a bad flesh wound ; Mrs. Avery 
and son, J. B. Avery; Hugh Minier; Mary Ordahl ; 
Emma Neitge ; Mrs. A. Tobin and little son Malcolm ; 
Miss Julia Johnson of Minneapolis, a teacher in the 
New Richmond schools; Mrs. N. W. Edwards; Mr. A. 
J. Nelson ; Mrs. John Patton and little daughter ; Geo. 
A. Wells, wife and two children ; Mrs. H. M. Jameson 
and daughter Clyde; Grandma Foster, eighty-one 
years of age, who had made her way through two 
blocks of ruins ; four Elgee children ; Mr. Wm. 
Hughes and two children ; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Casey 
and two children; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Oaks; Mrs. 
D. W. Cumner and two boys, Frank and Charles; 
Mr. Hurley; Mr. Joyce, and two or three Misses 
Rings. These people made this home a temporary 
refuge till the violence of the storm had passed. Many 



212 A MODERN HKUCrLANEUM. 

of them crowded into ]\lr. Knight's cellar, even taking 
some of the injured with them. x\ll except James Vail 
afterwards made their way to the homes of people 
more fortunate and who had dry quarters. Vail was 
taken away by friends the following day. This home 
and family were wonderfully spared, and, although 
the house was wrenched and twisted, the family were 
able to be of much help to many who were entirely 
without protection of any kind." 

Mr. Otto Engstrom, engineer at the sawmill : "I 
ran in and shut down the steam after I saw the storm 
coming. I saw tw^o piles of clouds, one coming down 
from the west and one from the south. They met, 
and the collision w^as like that of gunpowder. They 
then began to whirl, and were all mingled together. 
The white clouds seemed to roll up on top, as though 
they were lighter. The noise it made was enough to 
kill you. When that thing got about the middle of 
Main street I saw fire flash from it, as though it fell 
like a ball out of tJie center onto the earth. Then I 
saw Dr. Johnson's house lifted bodily into the air, and 
then collapse and scatter to the ground. That 
made me think of my own home near there. There 
was a man lying under the bridge who kept calling, 
'Otto, come down !' and I just took one jump and hud- 
dled down there with him. From where we were we 
could see the cyclone come along. \\'hen it struck 
Willow river it picked up the logs out of the water, 
whirled them in the air, and landed them fully five hun- 
dred yards from wdiere they had been. It struck the 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 213 

Omaha spur track that was bridged quite a distance 
into the water, and which was used for unloading logs 
from the cars, and was the same bridge I was hiding 
under. There were eight cars standing on the track, 
a few of them loaded or partly so, and six of them 
were pitched into the water. One was lifted into the 
air, and let down again, with one of the pairs of trucks 
shoved into the middle of it, and placed again on the 
track — three pairs of trucks under one car, as if placed 
there by man. It took one lumber pile, board by 
board, while another was thrown up in a mass. When 
the old blacksmith shop (where Mr. Noonan was 
killed) went I thought surely the mill would go also, 
and was expecting to hear the boilers explode. But 
the mill was left, though everything around it was 
destroyed. There was a door from some building 
shot through the roof of the planing mill. The cloud 
seemed to have a lot of arms that went tearing in dif- 
ferent directions, screaming and bounding upwards 
and downwards. Just before it struck the water I 
saw one of those big telephone poles ground round 
and round into splinters that were scattered to noth- 
ing ; then the water shot up and one log pitched over 
the spur. As soon as the storm passed I ran for dear 
life to see if I could find my home and my family. 
After I had crossed by the mill dam I did not know 
where I was going. I have lived in New Richmond 
for ten years, and yet J- could not tell where my 
home had been, or anything else. Oh ! There was 
no home, but everything — everything was gone ! 



214 ^^ MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

After a long tramp through mud and water, and over 
the walls of houses, I came to where I thought the 
street I had lived on was. But I found that I was 
two blocks out of the way, for there was a cellar near 
by, full of people, who kept calling me to, 'Come 
down!' This was Mr. Tobin's. They cried to me 
that there was 'another one coming,' but I could not 
stop. I must hunt for my home. When I came to 
the street on which I lived I had to count the cellars, 
until I came to my own; that was the only way I 
cound find it. There was nothing left around that I 
could tell by. I received several scratches by being 
thrown down by the fierce wind that blew. As bad 
as it was so far I had not seen the worst yet. I stum- 
bled around blindly, and the first person I heard and 
saw was my eldest girl. Her arm was broken, but so 
great was her courage that she said she was not hurt, 
bidding me look for the others. The next one I 
found was my wife. She did not know me at first, 
neither would I have known her except for a little bit 
of clothing which I recognized. She was injured ter- 
ribly. I found the rest of my family that night, with 
the exception of one, which I recovered the next day." 

Mr. Engstrom lost two children. 

Mr. P. Hefifron: "I left the Willow River Co.'s 
lumber yard and started for home. When I got 
about to the center of the wagon bridge I saw that 
to go further meant certain death, and ran back and 
went into the mill. This place appeared to be but a 
poor refuge, so I thought to make the Central depot. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 215 

1 traveled about half the way when I saw that the cy- 
clone was coming directly toward me. I then ran 
back and into the shingle yard, and tried to cross a 
wire fence, but was so exhausted from, running that I 
dropped down beside it. I lay there and saw the cy- 
clone pass about eight rods away, and fully expected 
to be taken up with it. It appeared to be a solid wall, 
composed of boards, trees, cattle, horses and human 
beings. I lay there about half a minute. \Mien I 
arose the smoke stack of the mill was just being car- 
ried ofT. I thought from the terrible roaring sound 
that the cloud was making a channel through the 
earth, grinding up all the rocks in its path." 

Mr. Alex. Leverty : ''I was in the mill yard and 
tried to get into an old boiler which had been taken 
out of the mill. The flue was too small, so I had to 
give it up. The clouds were dark, like black coal, 
and were like two revolving columns. I saw balls of 
fire flash from them. You might imagine the figure 
of a man, with an arm extending toward the east. 
\Yq stood on our feet until we saw the cars leave the 
track, then I slid down the sawdust banks to the edge 
of the water. There was little wind — not enough to 
blow my hat ofif, being about twelve or fifteen rods 
from where the cars were leaving the track. As it 
passed by there was slight suction, stirring the saw- 
dust around considerable. When the sawdust quit 
blowing I crawled up the bank, and looked around for 
Engstrom. He was about four rods west of me, in 
the dump, lying in the block wood. I saw that there 



2l6 A MODHRX HHRCULANUUM. 

was no water near me, but that the water stood Hke a 
winrow of hay in the middle of the pond. I looked 
at my watch at that time, and saw it had been but one 
and one-half minutes since I had seen the first build- 
ings start. They appeared to rise up about as high 
as the upper windows, and then go to pieces. When 
I got down to the Link place, near mine, I saw Mrs. 
Link, her mother and their little boy. Then I saw 
Mr. Burden's folks. He said that he had taken his 
children to the cellar, and 'sat down on them, before 
the house went.' Mrs. Burden asked me where my 
wife was. I did not know. There was nothing 
where the house had been. Supposing they had gone 
across the street in the direction of the storm, I went 
that way. I saw Mrs. Otto Engstrom. Her leg 
was broken. I helped her up on the floor of her 
house, and placed half a door behind her to keep the 
rain off, and a pillow behind her head. I went about 
twenty or thirty feet further, and found her little girl. 
T picked her up and laid her head in her mother's lap, 
where she died in a short time. I found Anthony 
Lynch trying to protect Mrs. Legard behind some 
stuff he had put up for protection. Her eye was cut 
and her arm broken. He asked me to go to his cel- 
lar and inform his folks that he was all right, as he had 
left there a few moments before the storm. I did so, 
and found fifteen in that cellar, all well. Then I 
started back to my own place, and found my wife sit- 
ting near where the barn had been, with the baby, 
close to the ice house, which was left. I took some 



STORTKS OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 217 

doors which I found and made a shelter for them, 
then put my hat and coat on my wife. Her head was 
badly cut. While I was working around there a hand 
reached up out of a cellar and pulled my pant leg. 
It was like a hand coming out of the earth, and scared 
me — gave me such a feeling that I felt like yelling. 
It was Mr. Montfort and his wife, who wanted to be 
helped out of a cellar. I found Dr. Johnson sitting 
on a radiator which had been upstairs in the house, 
and was now in Jameson's yard. He had a comforter 
around his shoulders. He wanted to know what had 
happened. I said, 'Oh, nothing has happened !' for 
there was more to do than to tell what had happened. 
He wanted to know, 'where he was at?' 'If he wasn't 
in Jewelltown?' I saw he was out of his mind. I 
made him as comfortable as I could, and picked up 
my wife's parasol, which I found, — not injured in the 
least, — opened it, and told him to hold it over his 
head. My brother-in-law and I took Mrs. Dunbar 
and her daughter (who were lying close by in a pool 
of water), and put them near some trees where it was 
drier. I found some blankets, and wrapped these 
around them, as their clothing had been nearly 
stripped from them. Mrs. Dunbar then wanted me 
to let her lie down, for I had placed her in a sitting 
posture. I found some wisps of straw and hay, made 
a pillow, and placed her head upon it, and she said she 
was all right. Sarah asked me to raise her arm, which 
lay at her side. I did so, and found it broken. I laid 
it across her lap and went back to my folks. I could 



2l8 A MODERN^ HERCUt^ANTvUM. 

not take all at once, so I started with the doctor. I 
met Mr. Wm. Burden, who said he would take the 
doctor to the Hoover House. I went back to my 
wife, and found there Mr. Carroll and Mr. \Miipple. 
Mr. Carroll helped Miss ]\Iinier, whose home had 
been in the Tunis house, and I took the baby, and 
went with Mr. Carroll to their rooms in Mrs. Libby's 
house, where we got dry clothing and where I left 
my wife and baby. I then went to the Hoover House 
(picked up a hat on the way, which I put on) to see 
Dr. Johnson. He again inquired 'where he was at,' 
and if he was not 'in Jewelltown.' His daughter's 
husband came and took him to his house in the coun- 
try. Looking after members of my own family in 
different places, I could not get to the Dunbars until 
about five o'clock the next morning. Mrs. Dunbar 
was lying as I had left her, l^ut she was dead. Sarah 
and her father had been moved during the night." 

After about three days Dr. Johnson was sufifi- 
ciently recovered to come back to town. He said: 
''I cannot tell where I was about six o'clock. I can't 
remember, but I think I must have been sitting by the 
west window reading, as I frequently sat there and 
read when at home. Airs. Leverty, who was the liouse- 
keeper, was getting supper. She thinks she had 
picked the baby up and gone into the buttery. She 
does not remember whether she had started the 
kitchen fire or not. Probably she had, as she is a 
prompt housekeeper ; but it made no impression upon 
her mind." Both Mrs. Leverty and her baby and Dr. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 219 

Johnson were found by Mr. Leverty a short time 
later.* Mrs. Leverty said she indistinctly remembers 
that her baby was under a plank. Someone came and 
tried to move it, then gave it up and went away. These 
people evidently did not notice the approach of the 
storm, and afterwards were entirely unconscious as to 
what happened before arriving at the place where they 
were found. The doctor says he does not feel as badly 
about losing his house as he does about the loss of a 
suit of clothes he got in Canada the last time he was 
there. He would like his bufifalo robe and his rifle 
and rifle case, too; because he thinks someone else 
has them, — took them after the house went to pieces, 
— and hopes (although it may not be right) that the 
man who picked up the rifle will get hit in his shooting 
eye the first time he tries to fire it off. He hopes 
the bullet will go backwards instead of forwards. He 
says : ''I have learned one thing, and that is that I can 
cry. I am seventy-six years old, and do not recollect 
ever shedding tears before. But this calamity has 
made me cry." 

The family of Mr. Thomas Porter were much con- 
cerned for their son Dwight, whom they knew had 
been in from the farm that afternoon. Mrs. Porter 
says: "I knew that if he had not gone home he 
would have driven into the Methodist church shed. 
Of course, when we got down there and saw the sheds 
were all gone we didn't know where to look. We 
searched a long time in the direction we thought he 



*See account of Mr. Leverty, 



220 A MODKRX HERCULANEUM. 

would have been carried, but nothing could be found. 
I asked many if they would help me, but all seemed 
to pass on and look for their own. Air. Porter 
searched all night. I went home thinking I ought to 
be there to take care of injured ones. I lit up mv 
house for people to come in. About four o'clock I 
went out again. Air. Porter had found Dwight's 
whip (a peculiar one, which had been presented to 
him) near the site of the shed. Between six and seven 
he was found, two or three hundred feet northeast of 
the church foundation. The church had been thrown 
northwest. He must have been killed instantly, as 
his brain was bare. The horse was found dead not far 
from him, without a bit of harness on and not a strap 
lying near him. The buggy has not been found. It 
all came so suddenly that we can hardly realize it." 

Mrs. Cummings: "Speaking of cyclones, my 
mind turns back to the year 1884. I was then living 
at Clayton, a small town twenty miles north of New 
Richmond, in the lumber district. We were just 
washing dishes when all at once we heard a terrible 
roar, like the falls of Xiagara. We soon discovered 
a terrible storm creeping upon us, and had hardly 
time to shut the windows and doors before it struck 
us. In less time than it takes to tell it seventy-five 
lights of glass were broken by hail. Then I supposed 
most of the storm was over, but after some work at 
picking up, I stepped out on the south porch, and was 
surprised to see a second storm, still greater than the 
first, coming with great rapidity. I shall never forget 



STrjRiKs or Trric I'ARrrcii'ANTS. 221 

the introduction. It had then formed into sections, 
eacli section pitcliing- and driving, as if trying to see 
which could get to us first and do the most destructive 
work. It was black as ink, and soon struck, accom- 
panied by a waterspout. Darkness had settled over 
us, and only as flash after flash of lightning came could 
we see the damage being done by the storm. At one 
flash all the trees were standing around our home ; at 
the next flash every tree had been torn up by the 
roots. We could not see the grass, as it was covered 
with water; and at every flash of lightning it seemed 
as though we were in mid-ocean, and the waves were 
dashing to and fro in the terrific wind. The front of 
our house was torn from corner to corner, nearly a 
foot from the walls at the center. This storm began 
at twenty minutes before eight o'clock p. m. and 
lasted until eight, each gust of wind being harder 
than the preceding one. We thought we could never 
witness a worse scene than presented itself the next 
morning; but how little we know what awaits us in 
the future ! 

^'Just seven years from the next September, at five 
o'clock p. m., Mr. Cummings came in, and said : 'We 
are going to have a cyclone now. Come, and let me 
convince you.' I went out. Oh, the stillness ! Not 
a breath of air stirred the leaves. It seemed as if the 
stillness could be felt. Away in the southwest was 
that ugly cloud — a sort of grayish-greenish color. 
Not a sound of wind was heard as it came creeping, 
creeping — up, up; then widening, widening; then 



222 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

creeping again. We went to make everything as se- 
cure as we could. We stationed ourselves in the 
kitchen, as it was not so high as the rest of the house, 
and thought we stood a better chance for our lives 
if the house went down, because there was not so much 
above us. There was not a sound of rain until the 
house was struck. Then in a half minute's time one 
hundred lights, small size, of glass were broken by hail 
and the whole house deluged. It only lasted seven 
minutes, but it seemed a much longer time, as we were 
expecting every instant to be blown away. The front 
of the house was torn so far from the walls that a clock 
upstairs was heard ticking behind the wainscoting in 
the of^ce on the first floor. I thought I could never 
pass through a worse storm and live, but these ex- 
periences were only a drop in a bucket compared with 
the New Richmond cyclone. 

''About six o'clock p. m., on June 12, 1899, I was 
Iving down in my room on the southeast side of the 
house. ]\Iy daughter came to my room and said: 
'What noise is that? Is it a train? or is it in the sky?' 
I very deliberately went out on the south porch. The 
sky was hidden from view by trees. I said to myself: 
'That sounds like a long, very heavily loaded freight 
train, running wild, at lightning speed, down grade, 
and shaking Hke a fanning-mill hopper.' I listened 
some moments, and the noise grew louder and louder, 

the train moving, as I supposed, faster and faster. I 

turned and went into the house, as unconcerned as if I 
had really seen the train. Mert Bigelow (a boy) came 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 223 

running in and said : 'Get to the cellar ! There is a cy- 
clone.' My daughter, Mrs. Davis, had already decided 
that it was best to go to the cellar before young Bige- 
low came in. We all ran to the cellar, none too soon, as 
the broken glass came in on the last ones going down. 
In one minute after starting for the cellar a portion of 
a tree came into my room, through the east window, 
took a turn north and carried off the foot of the bed 
where I had been lying. It then turned west, taking 
out the end of a commode, and then took from its 
hinges a door on the west side of the room, a little 
to the south of the commode, making kindling wood 
of the lower half, and knocking the partition one and 
one-half inches into the other room. The door and 
tree landed exactly where I stood when the boy ran in. 
A plank shot through a west window into the house 
and out at an east window. Those moments of hor- 
ror can never be erased from memory. In the cellar 
it was dark as midnight. The timbers of the house 
creaked, shutters, windows and window-sash were 
crashing, and all were expecting every second to be 
blown away. No tongue can tell, no pen describe, the 
experience. God grant none of us may be unfortu- 
nate enough to have such another! I never saw such 
destruction as was wrought by this cyclone upon New 
Richmond and the adjacent country." 

Mr. Ripley saw the cloud and heard at the same 
time the terrible roar. He says: ''I went out to 
close the barn door, and as I turned from the barn I 
was in full view of the cloud, which appeared to be 



224 ^ MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

coming directly toward my barn. I first got my 
family into the cellar, then took my position under a 
tree. The cloud moved slowly enough, so that I in- 
tended to watch my chance to make the cellar: but 
after sweeping through Mr. Welsh's place it veered 
more in an easterly direction, took Mr. Alexander's 
place, then farther to the east, and we were safe. I 
called them from the cellar to watch the great monster 
(to me it appeared to be che very representation of 
hell), as it traveled within a half mile of our place, 
tearing up everything in its course. It was black as 
it came towards us, funnel shaped, and of monstrous 
size. It seemed to have two motions, one turning 
and twisting, and another reaching from the clouds 
(by which it seemed to feed) to the earth, and throw- 
ing off from the outside what was taken up inside. 
We watched it for several miles, as it went bellowing 
like a dozen monstrous engines all at work at once 
across the prairie. It is a sight I hope never to wit- 
ness again." 

G. W. Ripley says that when ]\Irs. Ripley first 
looked from her window, attracted by the noise and 
darkness, she had just put some eggs on to boil. The 
time was five minutes to six. She thought then that 
it was New Richmond going down. The coincidence 
is striking that this was the exact time noted by Miss 
Doty, before she went into the cellar at Boardman. 
There is no question of the veracity and exactness of 
either. The time pieces may be at fault. At Mr. 
Welsh's place a granary was thrown south, and the 




DESTRUCTION OF DR. EPLEY'S HOME. 




FOUNDATION AND CELLAR OF DR. JOHNSON'S HOME. 
HOUSE DISAPPEARED. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 225 

grain dumped out ; then thrown north again, where it 
was found. 

Mr. Chas. J. Phillips: ''The evening after the 
Storm seems like a dream to me. When I hear it said 
that certain things happened at seven o'clock or nine 
o'clock I cannot recall the succession of the hours. 
It seemed like one long midnight from the time that 
we left the Epley home until dayUght came again. 
Stepping forth from the window to the porch, and 
turning to assist Mrs. Epley, I said : 'You must come 
to our house.' 'How do you know you have any 
house, Charlie?' she replied. How many times I have 
recalled the picture of that little group, hastily throw- 
ing about them whatever could be found, framed in 
the space left by the window, crossed here and there 
by broken boards. As I stepped out, and Hoyt ran 
for Jack to the blacksmith shop, leaving a group of 
ladies and children in the dining-room, I wish I could 
paint the expressions of those faces. As Mrs. Epley 
spoke, she put around her shoulders a gentleman's 
coat, and hesitated just a moment in the act, while the 
whole group, with myself, seemed to be thinking: 
'Sure enough ! How do you know that you have a 
home?' Everything seemed to be floating before me, 
as I thought of mother and father and the other in- 
mates of my home. However, the destruction in that 
direction was not as great as to the west, so I did not 
think they had been hurt ; but I turned and ran clear 
home and into the house, to make sure with my own 
eyes, that the people were all right. I didn't merely 

15 



226 A MODERN HERCL'LANEUM. 

use my judgment, and simply look to see if the house 
was there, as my brother Frank did. The floors were 
wet and covered with broken window glass, but the 
house was all there. The second wind was just com- 
ing up, and mother was trying to hold the south door 
shut. I told her to let the door go. and get down cel- 
lar, for I thought we were going to get the tornado 
again. I thought perhaps it had returned, as its name 
indicated. Father was up in the attic holding onto the 
scuttle door, to keep it from blowing away. I shouted 
to him to come down, but he said : 'The rain will 
drive in and wet everything — spoil the house.' I 
shouted : 'The people down town haven't any houses 
left; ours may go, too.' But I couldn't get him to 
budge. He is quite deaf, and, of course, the house 
didn't go, though it got a good drenching through the 
broken windows. Then mother asked me about 
things down town, and she said : 'Oh, you must go 
and bring people here. You must go and look after 
our friends.' I ran down the street. I don't know 
why I ran. As I ran along past Mr. D en sm ore's I 
saw a man lying in the street near the ]\Iethodist par- 
sonage. Ralph Bently came along from the opposite 
direction, and (without speaking to each other) we 
both approached the prostrate form, lifted him up, 
carried him in to Mr. Densmore's, and laid him on 
the floor. The people there began to do for him, and 
we went out again, each going in different directions, 
not saying anything. This was Mr. P. Newell, who 
was afterwards taken to St. Joseph's hospital in St. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 227 

Paul, where he died. Later in the evening two ladies 
stopped in at Mr. Densmore's, and seeing Mr. Newell 
there, apparently in a dying condition, went after the 
priest, and succeeded in finding him, which was the 
singular part of their perilous trip across the dark fields 
and a maze of entanglements. This I learned after- 
ward. When I left there I ran down to Main street. 
There I saw poor Mrs. Gillen, sitting up against a 
wad of tin roofing, in the mud. She was dying. I 
felt frightened at what I saw, I suppose, but I didn't 
call it that. I was sort of apart from earth — seemed 
to be sailing along over a strange country, and not 
conscious of myself. I saw men carrying bodies, saw 
the fires burning and heard strange cries, and ran on 
to the southwest. I passed Mr. Rowe's, and saw him 
going about and picking up some things, and his wife 
lying in the yard. I heard him say to me : 'This is 
the last of my poor wife.' 'What?' I said. He re- 
peated his words. 'Oh,' I said, not half understand- 
ing what he meant — not offering a word of consola- 
tion. I found our friends alive, and later in the even- 
ing I helped all I could in the rescue work. I could 
not stand the sights long." 

There are two little boys, Howard Glover and 
Frank Bannister, who will probably always remember 
their narrow escape. Howard was with his father, 
near the west end of the store, by the stairway. But 
he remembers most distinctly the tea box, which 
seemed to be his only protection. He says : ''I had 
just time to get behind a tea box when the thing 



228 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Struck." Tea boxes will always be very suggestive 
to him. Frank was in the photograph gallery, back 
of Mr. Dawley's confectionery store. Peanuts were 
his favorite relish, and by chance he fell in with the 
peanut roaster, and bags of roasted peanuts. When 
uncovered he was found comparatively uninjured, and 
he held up a bag of peanuts to be taken out first. When 
hauled out himself he demanded his booty, and on 
reaching home said: ''I got a bag of peanuts, any- 
way." 

There are two girls, also, who will recollect having 
received the most lively hustling that will ever fall to 
their lot. Miss Emma Minier and Mary McShane 
were on the street, hastening homeward. A young 
man, whose real name I have not learned, but who is 
called '*Swift," hurried Emma along, up the rise of 
ground, as she neared her home, almost exhausted. 
She saw the shingles flying from the barn, and trees 
furiously lashing the ground, before she entered her 
home with a bound, and her father caught her and 
jumped down the cellar stairs at the instant the house 
crashed down. Mary was hurried — fairly dragged, as 
her strength gave out — by Mr. Jay Densmore into his 
cellar. There, panting and excited, when the din 
rolled by, and where later refugees were driven in by 
the second blow, the cry was raised, "There's another 
one coming !" little Mary cried out boldly to Rev. Mr. 
Tull: "Pray! Pray! Why don't you pray?" It 
seemed to her that if anyone had any standing at the 
throne of grace, now was the time to use it. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 



229 



It was not easy to laugh during those days, but 
there were a few things which we were obHged to see 
the ludicrousness of. Mr. John Snowbanker, who is 
not easily disturbed, was sufficiently aroused on this 
occasion to drive into the livery stable, jump out ofif 
his milk cart and dive into the oat bin, below stairs. 
The barn went away, leaving only the floor. Mr. 
Snowbanker crawled out of his hiding place, and 
found his horses and milk cart right side up, on the 
street — not a milk can upset. He drove home, and 
his only comment to his wife was, ''I guess we had 
quite a wind up there." 

One of the homes which was looked upon that 
night as "all right" will serve as a sample of all, each 
one being sufficiently disturbed to make a startling 
column in the daily news, in an account of a severe 
wind storm. Mrs. Allen and Miss Thayer felt their 
house tremble, and the dining-room appeared to lift 
as they passed through to the cellarway. (The house 
was actually moved about three inches north on the 
foundation.) A moment later thuds were felt upon 
the walls, and the joists creaked and groaned. On 
coming upstairs from the cellar, they found their west 
windows blown in, the casing and the panel below 
moved into the room several inches, plants, chairs 
and other furniture thrown across the room, and glass 
and mud spattered about. The rain began to beat in, 
and getting together the cake board, the ironing 
board (the only boards available), and the step ladder, 
they tried to fix them at the windows. A neighbor 



230 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

came in, frantically wringing her hands, followed by 
her two children. One of the children immediately 
had a chill. Placing one on the couch, and catching 
the other up to save her from being cut by broken 
glass, Miss Thayer inadvertently placed her on the re- 
clining chair, upon a pile of broken plant jars. Then, 
feeling the draft from upstairs, she ran up, exclaim- 
ing, in her perplexity, "Oh ! Oh ! Oh !" A heavy barn 
sill was thrust in the roof, penetrating the ceiling, and 
water was pouring down it into the room. The win- 
dows were broken, furniture tossed about, and choice 
paintings blown from their frames. She made several 
journeys up and down stairs in the efifort to secure 
the household goods from being spoiled by water. 
For an hour and a quarter they continued this work. 
They heard people screaming and running, the lions 
roaring and the elephant trumpeting on the circus 
grounds, and the time seemed a sorry one for them. 
One and another put their heads in at the door, and, 
stopping only to say, "I'm glad to see you are all 
right." went quickly away. Dr. Epley came, and asked 
if anyone was hurt there. "No, they were not hurt." 
The doctor's face was very pale. Mrs. Allen said : 
"Are you sick, doctor?" "No," he said, "I am well. 
We are all well," and vanished like a ghost of himself 
into the rain and darkness. Mrs. Allen was greatly 
concerned because Mr. Patton had not been in to see 
them, as was always his custom when they were in 
trouble, and as soon as she could get away, started 
to go to the Patton home, not knowing it was gone. 



STORIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. 23 1 

No one had told her Mr. Patton could not be found, 
or that their home was gone. Making her way as 
soon as she was able, between wires, broken branches 
and pieces of roofing, she ascended the rise of ground 
toward the Staple's (Tobin) house. There stood its 
ruins, black against the fire-lit sky. Looking toward 
the Patton place, where in the morning she had seen 
a row of cozy cottages, with happy children playing 
about, she saw silent gray heaps, reaching to the river, 
and the broken and barkless trees in Mrs. Avery's 
yard, guarding the trackless space. Groups of horses, 
four abreast, ran up the street, splashing the mud. 
She was conscious of this picture being presented to 
her, then her strength failed, and she returned home. 
People came in whom she could help. She did not 
know until morning what the destruction had been, 
nor where Mrs. Patton was. • 



232 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Looking Over the Situation. 



O, woe is me 
To have seen what I have seen; to see what I see. 

— Shakespeare. 

Adjutant General Boardman and Surgeon Gen- 
eral Edwards were ordered to New Richmond. The 
following telegrams were reported June 14th: 

''Arrived here at 11. Temporary wants of desti- 
tute and sick supplied. Greatest want now in ready 
money for clearing wreckage and cleaning, or sickness 
will follow. Am arranging for organization to handle 

work. BOARDMAN." 

— TJie Minneapolis Times. 
"New Richmond, Wis., June 14. — Governor Sco- 
field, Aladison, \Ms. : The work of relief progressing 
rapidly and becoming more systematic. City crowded 
with sightseers and some suspicious characters, but 
Company C is doing good guard duty, and the sheriff 
is swearing in deputies to supplement work. Dead 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 233 

are being rapidly buried, and worst of the injured are 
being sent to St. Paul. Laborers are scarce, but have 
made arrangements to have fifty sent here and have 
ordered tents and supplies for them. Finance commit- 
tee has received, so far as I can learn, about $5,000, 
mostly from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Much more 
will be needed. Price, Mosher and Bell are in charge 
of the finance. Doyon handles the quartermaster and 
commissary departments, and the work of cleaning 
up has been placed in responsible hands. Dr. F. W. 
Epley is in charge of medical department. The news- 
paper reports of the situation are accurate. Will stay 
here until to-morrow, unless you direct other- 
wise. BOARDMAN." 

— The Minneapolis Times. 

''Madison, Wis., June 15. — (Special) — Governor 
Scofield to-day received the following dispatch from 
Adjutant General Boardman : 

'' 'New Richmond, Wis., June 15. — Governor Sco- 
field, Madison, Wis. : Everything here is progress- 
ing as satisfactorily as can be expected. Supphes are 
pouring in. All energy should 1)e directed towards 
raising money, as that is the greatest need. — Board- 
man.' " 

— The Evening Wisconsin. 

Both lines of railroads running through New 
Richmond were very prompt and generous in our 
behalf. Their agents at this place and prominent of- 
ficials gave evidence of their interest. Mr. Cummer 
of the Wisconsin Central had been planning a vaca- 



2 34 ^ MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 

tion, to begin Tuesday, and the agent to take his place 
was already here. Mr. Cummer did not go, and 
there was plenty of work for him, this agent, and five 
other additional helpers, for several weeks. The 
Northwestern work was also done at the Central de- 
pot, until a box car, for which a side track was built 
opposite relief headquarters, could be utilized as a 
temporary depot. The early telegrams sent by Di- 
vision Superintendent Horn have been mentioned. 
In many ways he showed his personal interest in his 
many New Richmond friends. Crews of men were 
sent, with boarding cars, or with dinner pails, by both 
roads. Fifty Italian trackman, from the Central force, 
were sent to aid in burying the carcasses of animals, 
which it soon became imperative to dispose of. A 
large trench was dug near the river, northeast of town, 
for the purpose, and hundreds of horses, cows, pigs, 
dogs, etc., were hauled off and buried there. One 
hundred men from the Hudson saw mill, headed by 
Mayor De Long, and two hundred from the Omaha 
shops, headed by Superintendent Preston, made a 
telling raid on the ruins. x\ll wore badges, ''Hudson 
Helpers," and each carried a willing heart as well, and 
offered assurance of a hopeful future in store for us. 
One gentleman, who had come as an individual helper, 
looked upon the splintered furniture, chairs, pianos, 
bedsteads, torn curtains, etc., of a home he had known, 
all piled in a promiscuous mass, with the parts of the 
house, and said, jokingly: "I don't think much of 
your housekeeping, Mrs. ." ''Well," she replied, 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 235 

trying to rise to the spirit of the remark, "you see I 
have broken up housekeeping, and shall probably 
know more when I begin again — if I ever do," she 
added, ruefully. The crews of men mentioned gave 
gratuitous service, and also some other individuals; 
but as a rule, laborers were paid out of the funds sub- 
scribed at their places of residence. 

General Manager Scott was here in person, and 
sent the following telegram : 

"St. Paul, Minn., June 14. — Governor Scofield, 
Madison, Wis. : Until the helpfulness of sympathetic 
humanity is made effective, the village of New Rich- 
mond can be erased from map of Wisconsin. One 
of the most thriving business communities is so thor- 
oughly storm-swept that nothing is left of its busi- 
ness, and but little of its residence section. From per- 
sonal interviews on the ground with a large number 
of those who escaped, I found them courageous and 
strong in this adversity ; but much distress necessarily 
prevails among the many who have lost their all, and 
what is being done for them under your guidance in 
the home state and by the sister State of Minnesota 
is so well directed that all appreciate the calamity at 
New Richmond has few precedents. 

"W. A. ScoTT, 
"General Manager, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & 

Omaha Railway." 

By transportation of freight and passengers and 
ofenerous contributions in labor and relief measures, 
these railroads showed themselves fully alive to the 



236 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

situation. Additional crews were sent to clear the 
tracks and lift the derailed cars from the river. The 
work of the great derrick was of interest to sight-seers. 

In their report, now completed, the relief commit- 
tee state that the American and National Express 
Companies and the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany also rendered free service to sufferers. 

The postal service was greatly impaired, owing to 
the destruction of the postoffice and the necessity 
of putting up with cramped quarters and lack of facili- 
ties, on the north side of the river, accessible only by 
a bridge temporarily constructed on the mill dam, 
running partly parallel with the track. Wagons, car- 
riages, bicycles and foot passengers were compelled to 
make their way across as best they could, in some 
danger of being hurt by horses frightened by the pass- 
ing trains. The distance was considerable, and the 
road hard to travel. For a time no mail could be given 
out, because the keys to the mail bags were lost, and 
it was necessary to wait for an inspector to open the 
mail. For many days (weeks even) the postofifice pre- 
sented a very confused appearance. ]\Iail was stacked 
upon the floor, and it was next to impossible to sort 
it in such limited space. Both the postmaster and his 
assistant had lost meml)ers of their families, and As- 
sistant W. T. Lambdin had been painfully hurt. Res- 
idents failed to receive letters sent them, and the out- 
going mail was slow in reaching its destination. Day 
after dav newspapers remained undistributed, it being 
simply impossible to unsnarl the' tangle. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION, 237 

Added to the local hindrances in the matter of se- 
curing mail and getting letters sent was the fact of the 
tremendous rain storms which had prevailed through- 
out Northern Wisconsin, making bad washouts and 
delaying trains. According to the weather bureau, 
''During the first fifteen days of June the rainfall was 
5.18 inches. The average for the entire month dur- 
ing the past twenty years is 3.90 inches. The entire 
month's fall in 1897, the year of the great floods, was 
nine inches." The first messages calling for relief had 
to be sent in a roundabout way. Much delay was 
consequent upon the increased number of messages, 
and the destruction of one telegraph station here and 
also one at Boardman. Friends in distant places be- 
came greatly distressed. I have in mind a lady in 
New York, awaiting information after the first report 
in regard to Mr. H. H. Smith, and a family in Los 
Angeles, who received the first (erroneous) reports 
of Dr. Epley having both legs broken, nothing being 
said concerning their famiUes; and others quite as 
disquieting. Inquiries received such tardy answers 
that a gentleman writing from Clark county says: 
"Am informed that it is useless to try to wire you." 
This was on the i6th. The lack of information led to 
the belief that the ones from whom no response was 
received had been disabled, or were among those 
whose fate had not yet been ascertained. Newspaper 
reports gave lists of dead and injured, but invariably 
stated that search for bodies was still going on, and 
thus gave intimation that there might be omissions, 



238 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

and, in fact, noted some errors from day to day. These 
were unavoidable in the confusion, and because the 
reporters were not widely acquainted with the people 
and place. Though this was true, the reports were 
in the main correct, and in no sense an exaggeration. 

The Western Union Telegraph Company had con- 
nected up their wires on the evening of the 13th, by 
stringing them on fence posts, or any available sup- 
port. Insulation was imperfect, and the wires did 
not work well when wet, which was frequently the 
case, and sometimes failed altogether. It was several 
days before the repairs were completed, as nearly 
every part of the line had to be rebuilt from North 
Wisconsin Junction, and poles and wire could not be 
obtained promptly. 

It was known that there had been considerable 
damage done in the country towards the northeast. 
Farm houses had been destroyed, and barns and out- 
buildings splintered or swept away. The cloud had 
become more fragmentary after passing the mill pond 
on \Mllow river, and had not made such a clean sweep 
of everything in the line of its progress as previously ; 
but it still retained great force and fury wherever 
it struck the ground. 

Messrs. O. F. and Frank Heminway viewed the 
cloud from its northwest side, as it threw up what ap- 
peared to be a spray of mud ; as would be the case if 
a stream of water were projected forcibly from a nozzle 
into a bed of dust, causing it to fly up. They ob- 
served the cloud to divide, one part continuing about 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 239 

in its former course, and the other part driving a Httle 
to the westward, and then scudding off, parallel to 
the first and a little distance from it. It would appear 
that the more Avesterly portion struck Clear Lake, 
Pineville and Clayton, and that the other portion con- 
tinued on to Barron. 

Following are the press reports of the damage 
done at Clear Lake, Pineville, Oakland and Barron, 
and in Dr. King's report will be found losses men- 
tioned at Clayton and Richardson, and in adjacent 
country : 

''Barron, Wis., June 13. — This city and surround- 
ing country was last night visited by a severe tornado, 
which did untold damage. The storm came up about 
seven o'clock, and for several minutes was watched 
with fearful apprehension. The scene was awful to 
behold. The storm started by a cloudburst, which 
drenched everything. The Norwegian church was to- 
tally wrecked. The Barron Heading Company's mill 
was partially wrecked and the stock scattered badly. 
The residence of J. W. Gillett was badly wrecked, and 
penetrated in six places by planks blown from adjacent 
lumber yards. Gus Soderberg's residence was moved 
from its foundation, and the kitchen roof penetrated 
by a flying board. John Post's residence was badly 
wrecked, and his barn and sheds are down. The 
dwelling of W. P. Howard was turned over on its side. 
Mrs. Howard was injured so that her recovery is 
doubtful. Mr. Howard received slight injuries. The 
large, half-completed residence of Bert Finnimore 



240 A MODERN HERCULANEL'M. 

and S. F. Filmore was entirely destroyed. Barns and 
buildings without number are wrecked. Nearly every 
store front on East Third street was blown in. The 
theater block and opera hall are slightly wrecked. 
John Martin's bicycle shop was wiped off the earth. 
The upper half of the front of A. E. Horstman's fur- 
niture store was blown out. Mrs. L. C. McNurlin's 
millinery store suffered likewise. The front of E. Nel- 
son's store, in the opera house block, was blown in. 
The Third ward schoolhouse was moved from its 
foundation, and nine box cars were blown off the 
tracks. Mrs. Crandall's residence was wrecked, and 
numerous other dwellings and buildings are out of 
plumb as a result of the storm. The electric light and 
telephone wires are down. Up to four o'clock no 
casualties were reported." — Pioneer Press. 

''Clear Lake, \Ms., Special, June 15. — What 
would, under ordinary circumstances, be considered 
a cyclone, but which was so completely overshad- 
owed by the horrible affair at our sister town of New 
Richmond, occurred here Monday evening. The same 
storm that leveled New Richmond also swept through 
here, but with less force, and only in places was its 
fury unloosened, and, at those places, death and deso- 
lation is the result. The main portion of the wind 
traveled about one mile from the village in a north- 
easterly direction, through a small settlement called 
Pineville. At this point the most damage was done. 

"The home of Sam Olson was blown down and 
Mr. Olson instantly killed, his wife probably fatally 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 24 1 

injured and one son badly hurt. Adjoining his place 
was the home of Torger Torgenson. This also was 
completely demolished, but the family, who had taken 
refuge in the cellar, escaped injury. Next was the 
home of J. C. Walsworth. He and his family escaped 
death in a marvelous manner. The family had taken 
refuge in the cellar and were scarcely in when the 
house was lifted ofif and destroyed. Mr. Walsworth, 
who is the general agent for a farm machinery com- 
pany, had a number of mowers and binders and rakes 
on the premises, and a number of these were blown 
into the cellar, completely filling it ; but every member 
of the family of seven escaped with scarcely any in- 
jury. 

"The next was the home of William Lewis. The 
house, with his barn, was destroyed. A large town 
hall next met the same fate. North of this about a 
mile and a half were the homes of John and Reuben 
Hale. Both, together with the barns and other farm 
buildings, were leveled to the ground, and a Mr. Ros- 
enquist seriously injured. Fred Kennetz's home was 
the next. Everything he owned was demolished and 
Mr. Kennetz killed. 

"The home of P. L. Taylor, one mile north of 
town, was also blown down and Mr. Taylor very bad- 
ly hurt. Directly west of the village the home of Hans 
J. Johnson met the same fate. The family lost every- 
thing. The school house, two miles north of town, 
was blown to atoms, and the home of Mr. Grant, 
forty rods in the rear, destroyed. 

16 



242 A :modern herculaneum. 

"East of the village the storm was also terrific. One 
family, whose name has not been learned, had the 
greater portion of their home lifted off over their 
heads, but of the family of six none were injured. The 
father was blown twenty rods, and when he recovered 
his feet was surprised to find a son deposited along- 
side of him. Both went toward the house to meet 
the mother with three children looking for a refuge. 
The large barn of John E. Glover, at Willowville, was 
demolished. Many horses and cattle are killed. 

"At least fifteen families are homeless, and some 
are absolutely destitute. Barns and windmills are 
blown down on nearly every farm in this vicinity. 
Many people are in need of innnediate assistance, and 
a movement in that direction was begun to-day. A 
telegram was sent to Governor Scofield, calling his 
attention to the state of affairs." 



"Cumberland, AMs., Special, June 15. — News 
reached this city to-day from Arland, an interior 
farming section of this county, that Monday's cyclone 
did untold damage in that region. The small village 
of x\rland, with half a dozen business houses, was 
wiped out of existence and twenty or thirty farmers in 
the vicinity suffered great loss of buildings and stock. 
Two children were picked up by the wind and carried 
nearly half a mile, but neither was killed. Many peo- 
ple were injured, but no deaths are reported. — 
Pioneer Press. 



LOOKING OVER THE STTTTATTON. 243 

General Boardman detailed Dr. C. F. King-, sur- 
geon of the Fourth Regiment Wisconsin National 
Guard, to visit the track of the storm adjacent to New 
Richmond, and in Polk and Barron counties, investi- 
gate conditions of suffering, and give surgical aid to 
the injured. Following is the report of Dr. King: 



List of sufferers, with the amount of their es- 
timated losses, in Clayton, Richardson, Clear Lake 
and adjacent territory, and in Polk county: 

Carl Becker, lost house and barns (has eight or 
nine children), $500. 

John Smith, lost one cow and barn (has three 
children), $y^. 

Fred Hass and wife, lost house and stables, $200. 

John Eggert, lost house and barn (has wife and 
one child), $500. 

Carl Sass, lost barn (has wife and four children), 

$50. ' ; ^ 

Herman Smith, loss on barn (has wife and three 
children), $50. 

John Ludwig, loss on house and barn (has wife 
and five children). 

John Plahn, lost everything (has wife and ten chil- 
dren, destitute), $400. 

John Shafer, lost barn, $50. 

Moritz Pabst, lost everything (wife injured), 
$L500- 



244 ^ MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Jacob Kododa, lost barn, $50. 

H. Meyer, lost roof of house and barn, $100. 

Joseph Vonda, lost house (has two children), 
$100. 

Charles Parlo, lost barn, $50. 

August Buergstrom, lost barn, $250. 

Ole Buergstrom, lost barn, machinery, cow, 
granary, $500. 

A. G. Anderson, lost house, barn and machinery, 
$350. 

RICHARDSON. 

Fred Kicker, lost everything. 

Frank Nichols, lost everything, $500. 

Butler Hulburt, lost everything (has wife and one 
child), $1,000. 

Gust Robinson, total loss (has wife and four chil- 
dren), $800. 

Gust Raskie, total loss (has wife and three chil- 
dren). 

Canute Everson, total loss (has wife and four or 
five children). 

John Hale, lost everything, $200. 

A. M. Rosenquist, total loss (has wife and two 
children), $250. 

Ruben Hale, third loss, $1,000. 

William Lewis (has wife and three children), $300. 

Simon Lewis (has wife and five children), $300. 

G. H. Felland, total loss (has wife and eight chil- 
dren), $1,000. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 245 

John A. Paulson (has wife and six or seven chil- 
dren), $600. 

William Larson, total loss (single man), $450. 

Mrs. Sarah Gullickson, total loss (widow, desti- 
tute, three children). 

H. G. Lee, total loss (has no children), $150. 

Emma Hermanson, total loss (eighteen years old, 
caring for seven orphan children, destitute). 

C. W. Swanson, lost house and barn, $300. 
Chris Olson, total loss (has wife and two children). 
John Allickson, total loss (has six children). 
Alex Knudson, total loss (has five in family), $200. 
Halvor Lee, total loss, $300. 

Andrew B. Kittleson, lost house and barn (has 
wife and one child), $200. 

Olaf Anderson, lost barn, granary, etc., $300. 

D. W. Hurlbut, lost barn, house damaged, $275. 
Chris Peterson, lost everything (has wife and four 

children), $1,500. 

Gust Raske, lost everything (has wife and four 
children), $1,500. 

ADJACENT TO CI,EAR I,AKK. 

P. L. Taylor (widower, has two children), $600. 

Andrew Grant, lost everything (has wife and four 
children), $800. 

Torger Torgerson, total loss (has wife and five 
children), $400. 

Hans J. Johnson, total loss (has wife and three 
children), $600. 



246 A MODERN HERCt5i,ANEUM. 

E. R. Tomran, lost barn, granary and implements 
(has wife and four children), 

Fred Magnnson, lost barn, $250. 

Chas. Sandberg, lost granary, etc., $25. 

Sam Olson family, lost everything, $500. 

Ole Hagen, lost barn and granary (has wife and 
two children), $200. 

Ole Ostenson, lost barn, $100. 

Thomas Bodiner, lost barn and damaged house, 
$100. 

Jeft W^adsworth, total loss (has wife and five chil- 
dren), $1,200. 

Charles Swanson, lost barn and implements, $200. 

Alike ^McDonald (has wife and five children), $200. 

Fred Kennetz family, property loss about $500. 



KII,I,ED IN POI^K COUNTY. 

Fred Kennetz. 
Sam Olson. 

INJURED IN POI,K COUNTY. 

A. M. Rosenquist. 

Mrs. Sam Olson. 

Ole Olson. 

P. L. Taylor. 

Butler Hurlbut. 

Mrs. Caroline Pabst. 

Gust H. Peterson. 

Total property loss, $22,336.60. 



LOOKING OVKR THE SITUATION. 247 

The following additional losses in Clear Lake are 
recorded by Thos. Stout, Jr. : 

"H. A. Schnlze (heaviest loser), sawmill damaged, 
three or four barns. 

A. J. Fennan, two colts, windmill, etc. 

H. A. Davis, roof carried across street. 

Kavanaugh & Co., glass front, awning, chimney, 
signs and stock damaged. 

Masonic Hall (lower story occupied by W. R. In- 
galls), glass front, stock damaged, dwelling damaged 
and lost shade trees. 

T. Stout, Jr., store roof blown nearly off (a new 
iron roof), postoffice, and goods exposed to rain, 
dwelling damaged. 

N. T. Rogers, windmill. 

Dr. Goodwin, water tank and windmill. 

Mrs. Paulson, home and contents (has a large 
family). 

Elias Grimes, barn and grain. 

Windmills and trees were damaged or blown down 
in the town of Clear Lake, and trees were twisted and 
stripped of leaves for a distance of one mile west. 

The total estimated damage in the town was fifty 
thousand dollars. The inhabitants say this is the third 
time the place has been struck by a 'cyclone.' The 
one previous to that herein chronicled resulted in 
much financial loss, and three people were killed. 
These were the wife of Mr. Peleg Burdick, Willie Cav- 
anaugh and a Mr. Saunders. The two latter were hit 
by flying boards as they ran out of the W. R. Ingalls 
store and along beside it." 



248 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

It will be observed that the destruction does not 
compare in degree with that experienced in the earlier 
path of the tornado, as far as the village of Clear Lake 
is concerned, the greatest destruction in that vicinity 
beins: to farm houses further east. 

The condition of the farming people who had lived 
in this somewhat sparsely settled region in Polk 
county was pitiable in the extreme. Many of them 
had possessed but the simplest shelter for their fam- 
ilies, either log or small frame cottages, and low straw 
thatched sheds for their cattle. Although industrious 
and frugal, they had barely subsisted on the products 
of their few acres of land. Dr. King relates the case 
of a young woman who had l^een working away from 
home, but had lately returned for a visit, brins^ine with 
her a number of articles which she had purchased by 
her labor, and which were to have been her wedding 
outfit. Her much-prized wardrobe had been packed 
in a trunk, together with about one hundred dollars, 
in money, which she had saved. She had taken refuge 
in the cellar with her father's family. The house was 
carried away, and a reaper thrown into the cellar. 
Fortunately there were no deaths among the number, 
but some bruises, and the trunk mentioned, with its 
contents was gone, leaving the young woman with 
nothing but the one garment which the wind had 
failed to strip from her person. 

At one place Dr. King saw a family of orphan 
children cared for by an older sister. The oldest mem- 
ber of the family was a boy, but his mind appeared to 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 249 

be impaired, so that he was no help to her. The young 
woman had put some boards over the cellar to shelter 
the children. There was nothing left to eat except 
some .wet flour. The girl had at last milked a cow 
and got some milk. (It is a fact known hereabouts 
that many cows were so afifected by the storm that 
they did not give milk for a day.) She had stirred 
flour into the milk, and given it to the children, in a 
dish which she happened to find. At some distance 
from neighbors, and supposing that they were all in 
equal distress, she knew nothing else to do but to stay 
there and try her best to keep the little ones alive. 

It will thus be seen that, both north and south of 
New Richmond, the farmers, upon whom so much of 
the prosperity of that market town depends, were also 
impoverished and afilicted, and in all the calls for help 
and distribution of supplies and money they had a 
right to their proportionate share, and were included. 

The number of lives lost outside of New Rich- 
mond, to the southwest, was four, and to the northeast 
two. The property losses of farmers to the southwest 
were proportionally greater than the losses of those to 
the northeast, as years of cultivation and improvement 
had enabled them to put up more substantial and 
valuable buildings. 

DWEIylylNGS DEMOI^ISHED IN THE CITY OF NEW RICHMOND. 

Avery, Catherine, residence. First street. 
Ball, George, residence. Fifth street; tenant, H. 
Wells. 



250 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Bell, Charles, tenement, near L. Taft place ; tenant, 
F. La Point. 

Bell, M. S., tenement. Fifth street; tenant, C. H. 
Knight. 

Bell, Robert, estate, tenement. Sixth street; ten- 
ant, Elvin Levings. 

Burden, L. W., residence. Arch street. 

Beal, Angie, residence, Fifth street. 

Benjamin, Ella, tenement. Arch street; tenant, 
Mrs. George. 

Bartlett, F. ^^^, tenement. Second street; tenant, 
D. W. Kuhn. 

Bartlett, F. W., tenement, Second street; tenant, 
A. G. Boehm. 

Burton, Wm., estate, tenement, Green street; ten- 
ant, Iv. V. Springstein. 

Burton, Wm., estate, tenement. Third street ; ten- 
ant, Timothy Noonan. 

Brown, Andrew, residence. Arch street. 

Brown, Andrew, tenement, Green street; tenant, 
Mrs. M. Brown. 

Clifton, A. B., residence, Fifth street. 

Crowley, James, tenement. Fourth street; tenant, 
J. Brass. 

Casey, James, residence. Fifth street. 

Cosgriff, Mrs., residence. Fifth street. 

Childs, H. A., residence. Fifth street. 

Casey, M. J., residence. Green street. 

Clapp, Betsey M., residence. Fifth street. 

Denneen, Andrew, tenement. Arch street; tenant, 
— Dunbar. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 25 1 

Evans, Mrs. J. G., residence, South Main street. 

Elgee, J. H., residence, First street. 

Earl\% Anthony, residence. Fifth street. 

Engstrom, O., tenement. Green street: tenants, 
Engstrom and Monfort. 

Epley, F. W., Dr., residence. Third and Arch 
streets. 

Farrell Thomas, residence. Fourth street. 

Foster, Hiram, residence. First street. 

Frisk, Mathias, tenement. First street; tenant, E. 
H. Maskrey. 

Frisk, Mathias, tenement. Second and Green 
street ; tenant, J. R. Henderson. 

Gross, David, residence, near Baptist church. 

Gould, Mrs. W. S., residence, First street. 

Hughes, Wm., residence. Green street. 

Hawkins, S. N., residence. Fourth street. 

Hawkins, S. N., tenement. Fourth street; tenant, 
George Stack. 

Hawkins, S. N., tenement, Fourth street ; tenant, 
F. C. Sherman. 

Houston, estate, tenement. First street; tenant, 
Mrs. McMahon. 

Houston, estate, tenement. Third street; tenant, 
Jas. McClure. 

Hathaway, W. J., residence. Fifth street. 

Horn, Samuel, residence, on Taft place. 

Hough, Charlotte, residence, Fourth street. 

Hopkins, Wm., residence, First ward. 

Hollinbeck, F., residence, southwest part of First 
ward. 



252 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Jameson, H. M.. residence, Main street. 

Johnson, J., Dr., residence. Arch street. 

Kane, Richard, residence. Fifth street. 

Kelly, Mrs. Michael, residence. Main street. 

Knapp, L. L., Dr., residence. Third street. 

Lynch, Ed., residence. Green street. 

Lewis, J. H. W., residence. Main street. 

Link, Wm. H., residence. Arch street. 

Link, Jas. H., residence. Second street. 

Lynch, A. H., residence. Green street. 

Lanphear, Charles, residence. Third street. 

Legard, Mrs. Anton, residence. Arch street. 

McDermott, ]\lrs. Margaret, residence, Fifth 
street. 

McNally, W. F., residence. Arch street. 

Murdock, H. N., Dr., tenement. Arch street. 

McCartney George, residence, southwest part of 
First ward. 

Methodist parsonage. Green street. 
- McHenry, Sarah, First ward. 

McHenry, Sarah, tenement, First ward; tenant, 
F. Letellier. 

Martin, Gertrude, residence, Green street. 

Minier, D. H., residence. Arch street. 

Manufacturers' Bank, tenement. Main street ; ten- 
ant, L. Turnow. 

O'Brien, Jas., tenement, Second street ; tenant, S. 
C. Boardman. 

Oleson, Sevren, residence. Green street. 

O'Brien, M. N., residence, Fourth street. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 253 

Perry, E. H., residence, First ward. 

Peterson, Iver, tenement, Second street; tenant, 
Mrs. McCarty. 

Phillips, Jas., residence. Fifth street. 

Rowe, T. N., residence. First ward. 

Rowe, T. N., tenement. Green street; tenant, Geo. 
Oakes. 

Rowe, T. N., tenement, Green street; tenant, Jno. 
Patton. 

Rowe, T. N., tenement. Green street; tenant, N. 
W. Edwards. 

Rowe, T. N., tenement. Green street; tenant, D. 
W. Cummer. 

Rosebrook, estate, residence. Main street. 

Roberts, Griffith, residence. Fourth street. 

Rutty, J. L., residence. Fourth street. 

Roberts, H. W., residence. Fourth street. 

Rosebrooks, M. B., residence. Arch street. 

Richards, Thomas, residence. First ward. 

Scott, Jane, residence, Fifth street. 

Staples, estate, tenement. First street; tenant, A. 
Tobin. 

Smith, G. N., estate, tenement. Fourth street; ten- 
ants. Doty & McGrath. 

Smith, G. N., estate, tenement, Third street; ten- 
ant, Mr. Odgers. 

Smith, G. N., estate, Fourth street; tenant, — 
Davis. 

Smith, G. N., estate, tenement, Fourth street; ten- 
ant, Jno. Clark. 



254 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

Starr, M. E., residence, Arch street. 

Treasur, H., residence. Green street. 

Thompson, O., estate, tenement. Second street; 
tenant, J. Joyce. 

Thompson, O., estate, tenement. Second street; 
tenant, C. Casonava. 

Taft, Leon, residence. First ward. 

Taft, E. H., residence. First ward. 

Taft, Emmet, residence. First ward. 

Tunis, Mrs. Frank, residence. Arch street. 

WilHams, Margaret, residence, near Omaha depot. 

Wells, Mrs. Annie, residence. First ward. 

Wells, George, residence. Green street. 

Ward, Catherine, residence. Sixth street. 

There may be some omissions. 

Barns, shed and icehouses were destroyed to the 
number of forty. 

BUSINESS PI^ACES DESTROYED. 

Ward S. Williams, general store. 

William Bixby & Co., furniture. 

Bank of New Richmond. 

E. O. Kaye & Co., drug store. 

Padden & Hughes, hardware. 

J. B. Hicks, groceries. 

H. W. Fink, bakery. 

O. J. Williams, hardware. 

B. E. Aldrich, drugs. 

M. J. Scott, restaurant. 

Mrs. J. J. Gavin, millinery. 

Dr. L. L. Knapp, office. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 255 

M. E. Starr, jewelery. 

Phillips & Densmore, harness. 

Mrs. Fay Johnson, vacant building. 

Bigelows, photograph gallery. 

Mrs. P. H. Ryan, millinery. 

L. C. Tatro, barber. 

Pat Parden Estate, groceries. 

Powell & Lounsbury, books and stationery. 

C. H. Nelson, restaurant and bakery. 
Mrs. Brockbank, notions. 

E. A. Glover, Jr., general store. 
Manufacturers Bank. 

D. H. Minier, livery. 
Nicollet House. 

Tom Johnson, harness. 

T. M. Mulrooney, seeds. 

J. E. Avery, tinner. 

Berg & Dodge, general store. 

L. M. Winter, shop. 

Olson & Legard, tailors. 

California Wine House. 

F. T. Bannister, gallery. 

E. A. Dawley, confectionery. 
T. P. Martin, barber. 
Johnson & Co., saloon. 

M. J. Casey, furniture. 

E. J. Thompson, clothier. 

Telephone Exchange. 

Patton & Carey. 

Dr. McKeon, library and instruments. 



256 A MODERN UERCULANEUM. 

Dr. Sherman, dentist. 

Casonava & Co., saloon. 

Smith & Oakes, lawyers. 

Cullen & Greeley, saloon. 

McCarty & Tanney, groceries. 

Odd Fellows Lodge. 

W. H. Frissell, paint shop. 

Andrew^ Denneen, general store. 

C. O. F. Lodge. 

Sam Johns, boots and shoes. 

John Hagan, opera house block. 

M. N. O'Brien, barber. 

J. H. W. Lewis, blacksmith shop. 

Mrs. Lewis, millinery. 

Andrew Tobin, general machinery and carriages. 

R. W. Bentley, bicycle repairs. 

Patrick Henry, Farmers Hotel. 

Rose Early, dressmaker. 

Mrs. McCarty, dressmaker. 

Thomas Farrell, carpenter. 

H. Beal & Co., groceries. 

Barrett & Henry, saloon. 

McGrath Brothers, blacksmiths. 

Omaha depot. 

Merchants Hotel. 

Dr. Epley, office. 

St. Croix Republican. 

P. B. Day, express. 

A. G. Boehm, cigar factory. 

Dr. F. S. Wade, office. 



LOOKING OVER THE SITUATION. 257 

I. Peterson, shoe shop. 

M. S. Wells, dentist, office. 

John D. Lotz, meat market. 

W. F. & M. P. McNally, lawyers. 

Postoffice fixtures. 

Lem Leith, machinery. 

J. G. Evans, shoe shop. 

T. M. Harrington, blacksmith. 

Alvin Demmick, carpenter. 

Yep Ke, laundry. 

WiUiam Fitzgerald, groceries. 

Hawkins &; Hawkins, lawyers. 

J. E. Gififord, livery. 

Bell & Smith, meat market and fruits. 

H. M. Jaggers, city novelty works. 

Noonan & Burden, blacksmiths. 

The Voice office. 

Masonic Lodge. 

I. O. G. T. Hall. 

Roller mills office. 

Power house. 

Henry Joyce, shoe shop. 

Public library. 

Methodist church. 

Baptist church. 

Episcopal church. 



258 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 



CHAPTER IX. 



WOPK TO Do. 



"What seest thou else?" 

— Shakespeare — "The Temfest." 

"What were the people doing?'" 
— A question asked of one who had visited New Richmond upon his return home- 

Some of our merchants found a little salvage, 
where the fire had not run through, and tried to take 
care of it, by spreading it out in open places, where 
it could be sorted, dried and cleansed, and storing it 
in sheds or barns — scarcely obtainable near by. Soon 
a medley of soiled, sulphur-scented goods were dis- 
played on porches and shed roofs. Some were gath- 
ered into tents. Permanent and reliable help was 
hard to get. To some extent, the moral sense ap- 
peared to be overtaken by the confusion which reigned 
supreme. A woman, who had carried home silver- 
ware to a not very distant city, was reprimanded by 
one of the men in the family, who said: "You have 
no right to this. Why did you take it?" She replied : 
"Those people will have no use for such things. They 
have no homes." The police of St. Paul had acted at 



WORK TO DO. 



259 



first on their own cognizance, until the sheriff of the 
county had sworn in a number of deputies. After the 
arrival of Company C, Tenth Battalion National 
Guard, under Captain Hartwell, the deputies acted in 
conjunction with the militia for a couple of weeks, 
when the guard was removed, and the enforcement 
of the law returned to local authorities. During the 
two weeks a picket line was established around the 
business blocks, and at intervals a guard was seen out- 
side this portion ; but thieving was not altogether 
prevented. Even when the ruins were ransacked by 
"clear-up gangs," under foremen, some cases of dis- 
honesty were suspected. By detective service some 
were brought to justice, but it is thought that articles 
amounting to considerable in value were taken away. 
Indeed, this is certainly known. There were instances 
where strangers took goods and cleaned them, and 
then restored them to rightful owners. One person, 
desiring to do just right, fared ill in the attempt. 
Looking over the ruins of one of the oldest homes, he 
found a copy of "Pilgrim's Progress." He hunted up 
the owner, and paid two dollars for the souvenir. Af- 
terwards he found a large Bible, for which he offered 
to pay ten dollars. Not having the money with 
him, he promised to send a check, which he did. He 
also removed and returned a "Family Record," which 
was in the Bible. Being seen with the books, how- 
ever, before leaving town, he was arrested, he says; 
but on asking to be taken before the former owner, 
he was released. 



2bo A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

]\Iiss W. McClellan was told that someone was 
seen picking up silverware about the home of Mrs. 
Geo. Wells, who was at the bedside of her father. 
Having been an inmate of the Wells home, Miss Mc- 
Clellan hastened to the spot. She saw a person put- 
ting different articles into his pocket which she recog- 
nized as belonging to Mrs. Wells. Working her way 
toward him, and joining in his occupation, she thrust 
her hand into his pocket, and said : 'Xet's count 
what we have. Mrs. Wells will be so glad to get 
these." She seized his plunder so adriotly that she 
had it well in her somewhat trembling possession be- 
fore he could clap his hand onto his pocket, which he 
tried to do. Others arrived at the place just then 
who were known to Miss McClellan, and the fellow 
made off without protest. 

One pel son, having secured a nice painting, blown 
from its frame, went boldly into a house on the out- 
skirts and asked for a paper to wrap it up in, evidently 
unconscious of doing any wrong. Those who owned 
nothing in the w^orld except what lay scattered over 
the country would rather have had the privilege of ex- 
amining the articles themselves, worthless as most of 
them appeared on the surface, and began to feel some- 
what unkindly toward the souvenir hunters who in- 
fested the place, as it was only in isolated cases that 
permission was asked to take things away. There 
were really enough illustrations of the extraordinary 
force of the storm without taking unauthorized arti- 
cles of value. A group of persons were heard discus- 



WORK TO DO. 261 

sing their findings. One had a "cute" silver orna- 
ment; another had "only some melted silver." The 
one who overheard the conversation did not know 
exactly how to proceed to have these degenerates ar- 
rested, but could not forego the satisfaction of saying : 
''I think you might leave for these people their bits 
of melted silver. I call this robbery of the vilest sort." 

As by far the larger proportion of our visitors came 
to us with earnest sympathy, which filled their eyes 
and choked their utterance, we try to forget any who 
made our loss their gain in the most groveling sense, 
remembering only the generous offer of help and the 
contributions of every description given in kindness 
and love. 

Hospital and medical supplies wxre sent to the 
schoolhouse on Tuesday, and arrangements made 
there to take care of all patients not otherwise pro- 
vided for. This work was in charge of a volunteer 
corps of physicians and nurses. A good many re- 
ported there for treatment for a w^eek or two, but the 
number gradually fell off, as many were removed else- 
where, and the hospital was discontinued. But for a 
time the schoolhouse was a sort of arcade, sheltering 
diverse kinds of business. Dispensary and hospital 
work began while yet dismembered portions of hu- 
man bodies lay there unburied. In an adjoining room 
meals were prepared for patients and nurses. During 
the time that the hospital was kept up I am told that 
certain persons living outside the city sent daily dona- 
tions of fruit to be dispensed to the patients. New 



262 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

garments and bedding, sent by the Jobbers' Union of 
St. Paul, had at first been given out at headquarters, 
and it was no uncommon sight to see ladies, who had 
been fastidious in former days about the style and fit 
of their garments, clothed in a ''relief wrapper." One 
remarked, "We all look alike ;" and, indeed, it seemed 
as if all had committed some misdemeanor, and had 
been put into reform school attire. Surely, a doleful 
sisterhood ! 

Later on, clothing and furniture of all sorts were 
given out at the schoolhouse, under supervision of 
Mr. J. A. Andrews of Hudson, at first, and later, under 
local management. Ladies of the local Women's Re- 
lief Corps did efficient service here, especially Mes- 
dames Ripley, Loomis and M. Brickley. Mrs. C. F. 
Talmadge assisted in this, and any other way possible, 
deeming it a privilege to work, rather than to give way 
to her sorrow. If anything could be more wearisome 
than sorting, matching and trying on for a nervous 
throng, bewaihng their necessity for appearing in the 
ranks of the needy, I have yet to learn what it is. 
The collection of garments was such, I suppose, as is 
usually seen where the need exists for collecting so 
many in haste, and was both useful and interesting, 
especially in the number and variety of its shirtwaists. 
There were a few which showed a strict conformity to 
recent styles, but those with the really mammoth 
sleeves bore so plainly the mark of "the schoolhouse" 
that it was difficult to dispose of them. "You were 
too proud," it will be said, and was said. In defence 



WORK TO DO. 263 

of more than reasonable pride manifested, I can only 
say that the role of pauper was an unexpected one to 
these people, and they were not prepared to act it 
properly. None of them were at that time support- 
ing an establishment which would give them social 
standing, and their personal appearance was their only 
aid in that respect. The remark was heard, ''Seems 
to me, if I had lost everything I possessed, I 
should be glad to get any old thing;" but 
the author of such sentiments has sunk into oblivion, 
not applying for a copyright. Much better at that 
time would it have been to observe a Cranford-like 
silence to pecularities of dress, and pretend to feel 
ourselves quite properly attired, notwithstanding how 
we might appear to others. This perhaps we could 
have done more gracefully if the garments had been 
taken from the recesses of our own garrets, or if such 
indifference were as prevalent in the west as in some of 
the sequestered nooks of long-settled New England, 
where one may wear what he pleases if he belongs to a 
good family. This leads me to reflect on the useless- 
ness of storing away out-dated clothing in this change- 
able age. The garments which in the hot summer 
days appeared cumbersome were laid aside by the far- 
sighted for remodeling when wintery winds should 
find us reinstated at our own firesides, and sewing 
machines and conveniences had been restored to us. 
If the donors could know what satisfaction many such 
gifts have afforded, and with what thankfulness they 
have been received, it would ground them deeper in 



264 A MODKRX HKRCULANKUM. 

their conviction that it is better to pass worth-while 
garments around to those who can make use of them, 
rather than store them away where moth and rust 
do corrupt and make them unfit for thieves to steal. 
We feel certain that, in the bestowment of such char- 
ity, some must have found themselves in the condition 
of the dear old Irish lady, who, having received a 
small fortune, expended it for one and another of her 
friends, whose small wishes she desired to gratify, leav- 
ing until the last the purchase of a warm cape for her- 
self. But when she had provided for others, her 
money had been spent, leaving her more than satis- 
fied in the pleasure she had given. The intention of 
a lady living in the southern part of this state was 
commendable. Soliciting clothing, she was answered 
by one whom she asked : ''I don't know that I have 
any old clothing to send." "Old clothing!" exclaimed 
Mrs. W — . "I do not want old clothing. I want 
such things as you like to wear and use yourselves. 
You must remember, that some of these destitute peo- 
ple were, a short time ago, living and dressing as well 
as you do." It is needless to say that her dainty col- 
lection was a boon and a delight to those who received 
it. But in the strict adherance to such a rule, at such 
a time, the average collector might miss in quantity 
what was balanced by quality. The circumstances 
peculiar to the sort of calamity experienced here 
seemed to call for ready-to-use articles, in the ab- 
sence of utensils for cleaning and repairing. This 
was thought of by some donors, and those who made 



\V(TR"R TO DO. 265 

the work of preparation systematic and thorough, as 
well as ascertaining as far as possible the suitability of 
parcels to individuals, afiforded comfort by their fore- 
thought. The Commercial Club of St. Paul, the Red 
Cross, church societies, and others, gave attention 
to this, distributing some parcels from the school- 
house, and some through the agency of Mrs. Bartlett 
and other representatives. 

Sewing machines were few in proportion to sewing 
to be done, and the few dressmakers who offered 
themselves could not be kept at work for this reason. 
Freight orders were so indefinitely delayed because 
of the rush of business that nothing could be brought 
to hand at a given time. 

A number of men and boys assisted at the school- 
house, in handling furniture and heavy articles, giving 
out men's clothing, unpacking boxes, and getting 
ready packages to be sent to Clear Lake and to the 
adjoining country, both north and south of New Rich- 
mond. Furniture of various kinds was supplied by 
the clubs, by individuals of each of the Twin Cities, 
and also by firms in our own state, who forwarded 
new furniture and graniteware to the relief commit- 
tee, to be distributed by them. This was all finally 
handled at the schoolhouse. 

The problem of starting in business forced itself 
upon the business men — to 1)e solved, and solved 
quickly. It was important to formulate some line of 
action before outsiders, attracted by our misfortunes, 
should come in and occupy the ground. Although 



266 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

the outlook was dubious, the country trade was bound 
to come here as before, and fresh parties could easily 
have driven our financially-ruined merchants from the 
unequal contest. Taking into consideration the loss 
sustained by so many, would future prospects warrant 
starting in on borrowed capital? Could they borrow? 
With only the foundation of their stores left, the en- 
couragement was small. If any had vacant lots other 
than one that he should select to build on, he could 
not hope to get much for them. Mr. Yep Ye, the 
Chinese laundryman, seemed to think the matter of 
his abiding here had been decided adversely. He was 
a great deal frightened and somewhat hurt in the 
fall of his laundry, and he and his son were cared for 
at the residence of Mr. Blancher. As soon as he came 
to himself, he said, "New Lichmon go, I go;" and 
then he added, as if to excuse himself for his departure, 
"New Lichmon stay, I stay." But those whose 
longer residence here had attached them to the place 
did not wish to be separated from their companions in 
distress. Like sailors who had faced perils together, 
they were willing to try their fate again in the same 
boat. Their circumstances would be known and un- 
derstood better here than elsewhere, and their former 
standing would attach to them their former friends. 
Wliether the retrospective view of so much that is 
disastrous and sorrowful will prove beneficial, remains 
to be proved, but there were few who felt able to ven- 
ture into untried fields. The intentions expressed dif- 
fered ; some were upon conviction, and others caused 



WORK TO DO. 267 

by distraction, according to varied temperaments. 
Some declared they had no interest in accumulating 
property, which might at any time be snatched away ; 
but because they must have something to live on, 
would do so, and would spend as fast as earned every 
cent for transitory comforts. They regarded the 
promise of life as small. Others were more hopeful of 
long life in just this place than anywhere else in the 
w^orld. They declared it most unlikely that a great ca- 
lamity — certainly not a cyclone — would visit here for 
a term of years. Notwithstanding this specious logic, 
all hours of the day and night found these latter sages 
ready to get below^ the surface of the earth on short 
notice, and throughout the summer, heavy rains, ac- 
companied by rumbling thunder and vivid lightning, 
often followed by cumulating clouds, would send 
them scudding to their rendezvous with those who had 
openly expressed their fear. 

A few hastily built sheds, of which Mr. E. O. 
Kaye's drug store was the first, caused numerous com- 
ments on the courage of our business men in resum- 
ing business. Surely it did imply courage; but the 
kind of buildings did not reconcile us to the loss of 
those whose places they occupied, and our streets bid 
fair to take on a far-western boom-town appearance. 
After scores of workmen had come and gone, some 
impression had been made upon the debris. Streets 
had been only sufficiently cleared to allow teams to get 
through. Some trees had been hauled ofif, and poles 
and snarls of wire moved aside. There was still very 



268 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

much more to be done before permanent buildings 
could be started. Even where what had originally 
occupied the ground had been carried ofif other debris 
encumbered it, and must be carted away and burned, 
and the cellars and grounds scraped as a sanitary 
measure. Farmers hauled away some splintered tim- 
ber, fit for wood, and said they could have done all 
the cleaning up if they had been given a chance at it 
before they had to attend to their corn. They, how- 
ever, kept at work even at a disadvantage to the corn, 
as many preferred the assistance of men known to 
them. Residents who had homes left also manifested 
as much interest, perhaps more than their own affairs 
would warrant. For illustration : The family of Mr. 
O. F. Heminway rose at four or five o'clock each 
morning, and the men went out to work at once — to 
the dining tent; to Star Prairie, for supplies; home 
to breakfast, with) a large family of homeless ones 
whom they had taken in. Then, again, at noon, the 
younger members of the household, with such others 
from out of town as they came across willing to per- 
form the service, repaired again to the dining tent, to 
wait upon the laborers who took meals there, and then 
home again for their own dinner. So it was, meal 
after meal, and day after day, as long as they could be 
of use in that way. They entertained, besides, nu- 
merous people who came to look up friends or act for 
societies, and two or three workers from the school- 
house. Their team and wao:on and horse and busfov 
were in almost constant use, haulimr debris, or carrv- 



WORK TO DO. 269 

ing people about to and from relief stations, postoffice, 
express and freight of^ces, and so forth. It will be 
seen that their personal affairs must have been ne- 
glected, or have received only such hasty attention as 
their regular occupation of caring for others allowed. 
Their home, which was some distance east of the un- 
pleasant scenes in the center of the city, was a haven 
of rest. 

Homes of which parts had been rendered unin- 
habitable had to remain in a dismantled state for sev- 
eral months, workmen preferring to take work where 
there was likely to be a long job. This was the gen- 
eral predicament of hospitable residents, and yet their 
''Welcome !" motto always appeared to us in bold and 
cheering outlines. If it were ever repaired in secret, 
w^e never knew it, though we were well aware that 
the pleasure of our company, at a time when we were 
so much concerned about our own afifairs, was in no 
way a compensation to our overworked entertainers. 

In spite of the general desire to get things straight- 
ened out again, there was so little to reckon by of an 
assured or substantial nature that, at best, every defi- 
nite stand was a venture. 

Of the two losers either of homes or business who 
held cyclone insurance, *Dr. H. M. Murdock and Mr. 
Sevren Oleson, the former had paid his premiums a 
good many years, and only the very day on which he 
was to realize from his long tenacity he had urged 
others to take out policies. "We'll catch it some- 
*Since deceased. 



270 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

time," he declared. Mr. Oleson had but a short time 
before six o'clock, on the 12th of June, secured his 
papers, which brought him a good sum of insurance 
money. 

Wind storms of great destructive power are infre- 
quent in this section of Wisconsin. It has been rare 
even for chimneys to be blown down. Although at 
long intervals this has happened, the area covered was 
small and the results in no ways comparable with what 
has taken place here. Sufficient alarm has not been 
felt to impress men with the expediency of insuring 
against this particular element. 

By the ist of August the w^ork of rebuilding per- 
manent buildings was well under way. Premises were 
cleared, over and over again ; first, of the larger stuff 
that could be picked up ; then of the slivers that could 
be raked up, and the smoke of bonfires scented the 
air; and then came the layer of earth, that must be 
scraped off or else covered over. Low places were 
filled in with broken brick and plaster, and earth 
hauled over them. "Boss" carpenters and builders 
were the nabobs of the hour, and white-capped stone- 
masons and hodcarriers were given the right of way. 
Stone-boats and wagons crossed where lawns had 
been, or anywhere, through the labyrinth of building 
material. There was much shouting of drivers, back- 
ing and hawing, as they dumped their loads. Then 
arose the fragrance of slacking lime and fresh paint, 
rejoicing our hearts as a harbinger of home. It will 
be doubtful if we ever see as much work done here in 



WORK TO DO. 271 

the same length of time again. Main street was de- 
stroyed by fire some years ago and then rebuilt, but 
it was done more gradually. Where can another city 
be found whose entire business portion has been built 
and equipped with modern appointments in three 
months' time? About one-third of the homes de- 
stroyed have been rebuilt, and others will be. In re- 
installing the electric power, from the time that Mr. 
E. H. Maskrey, superintendent and engineer, pried 
the horses out which were wedged in between the 
machinery at the central station, to the completion of 
construction, he has reveled in obstacles and hinder- 
ances sufficient even for his energy. He himself lived 
in a tent with his little family until the chilly winds of 
autumn drove them into their still unfinished house. 

This reconstruction was made possible in its ini- 
tial steps by the charity of individuals, largely supple- 
mented by the generous interest of societies, and con- 
summated by the pluck of the inhabitants, many of 
whom have had a great financial struggle, not yet 
over. Each one has endeavored to reinstate himself 
in his former place. This has been the rule, and there 
has been very little tendency to crowd each other, or 
take unfair advantage of the untoward situation. The 
general tone is that of kindliness and helpfulness 
among our business men. 

I wish some device had been evolved which would 
have enabled us to make buildings tornado-proof. 
Their character perhaps averages better than those 
destroyed, although there are marked exceptions 



272 A MODERN HERCULANCUM. 

ill both directions, some being decidedly bet- 
ter and some decidedly poorer. As to being secure 
from such a visitation as we have experienced, we do 
not think it possible. We almost believe that, like 
lightning, tornadoes do not strike the same place 
twice, though we do not know that anyone is suffi- 
ciently informed to assure us of this. Possibly we 
might have constructed underground dwellings, where 
we could hie ourselves away, coming to the surface 
occasionally for light and air, and, after the manner 
of prairie dogs, hard beaten paths, extending from one 
underground dwelling to another, would have showed 
us both social and neighborly. Or, since the bank 
vaults remained intact, we might perhaps have con- 
structed small iron-framed and brick-covered houses. 
Brick buildings of ordinary size went to pieces com- 
pletely and disastrously. However, no one appears 
to have made any notable innovation upon the con- 
ventional methods of architecture. You know people 
prize nothing in this world so much as w^hat they have 
lost. Our homes never seemed so dear to us as wdien 
we noted their absence, and each desired to recall the 
home snatched away, and at the same time to be suf- 
ficiently comfortable to forget the abjectness of the 
''Cyclone Summer." So the new house usually has the 
changes in arrangement which each one thinks con- 
ducive to that end. There still remain some hulks of 
buildings, some cluttered lots, and some unsightly 
stumps which we do not like to see. 



STATE AID. 273 



CHAPTER X. 



State: Aid. 



"Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest." 

— Book of Common Prayer. 

As "he that wrestles with us strengthens our 
nerves and sharpens our skill," so the gravity of the 
outlook aroused the energy of our people. Meetings 
were held, and various propositions discussed, where- 
by aid could be furnished to a definite extent. While 
acknowledging that great generosity had been shown 
by individuals and by communities, and expressing 
the deepest gratitude for having present necessities 
supplied by demands upon the ready benevolence of 
interested friends and neighbors, to continue to de- 
pend upon such charity was humiliating and uncertain. 
Press notices, to which we were so much indebted, 
would soon give place to later happenings, and con- 
tributions to the relief fund, w^iich was at the end of a 
week entirely inadequate to even provide shelter for 
the number of homeless people so widely separated 
from each other, would probably cease. Confidence 
was expressed in the ability and intention of the state 
to restore to us, in a measure, the comfort and pros- 
perity from wdiich we had been deposed by an acci- 
dent of nature — an accident for which no human 

18 



274 -^ MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 

forethought could prepare us, and from which no 
invention of man could shield us. St. Paul's delega- 
tion of business men again came to the rescue, as 
heartily as though they had forgotten whether the 
changes in boundary of 1846-47 had left Xew Rich- 
mond in Minnesota, or St. Paul in Wisconsin, and of- 
fered information, drawn from their knowledge of 
similar emergencies, always with becoming modesty 
and with no desire to interfere with any scheme orig- 
inated within our own borders. The business men 
and citizens assembled at the residence of ]\Ir. M. P. 
McNally, and made Assemblyman Alosher their rep- 
resentative in the matter of the appointment of a state 
committee, to be made up of men from several differ- 
ent neighboring cities, and Air. Channing Seabury, of 
St. Paul, accompanied Mr. Mosher to Madison to ask 
for its appointment. The local committee had been 
informally constituted, and it was believed that the 
appointment of a state committee would give new 
life to the relief movement, as well as be a guarantee 
of the judicious disbursement of the fund, preclude 
any charge of favoritism, and place us in the more 
secure attitude of a state rather than a local charge. 
The governor's second appeal to the people followed, 
and, June 19th. the committee was appointed which 
had in hand the matter of distribution and disburse- 
ment of funds and supplies to the end of the work : 

A PROCIvAMATlON BY THE GOVERNOR. 

''To the People of Wisconsin : 

''Now that the full extent of the disaster which a 
week ago befell the city of New Richmond and sur- 



STATE AID. 275 

rounding country is known, and the fact has been as- 
certained that by that terrible visitation a milHon dol- 
lars' worth of property and nearly 150 lives were de- 
stroyed, and 400 families were rendered homeless and 
destitute, it becomes necessary to effect a more com- 
pact and thorough relief organization. 

''To that end I hereby appoint A. E. Jefferson, 
president First National Bank of Hudson, O. H. In- 
gram, president First National Bank of Eau Claire, 
Leslie Willson, president of Chippewa Valley Mercan- 
tile Company of Chippewa Falls, W. J. Boyle of Mil- 
waukee, and O. W. Mosher of New Richmond to con- 
stitute a general executive committee, which shall re- 
ceive all contributions made for the storm sufferers 
in the three counties visited by the cyclone of June 
1 2th, and have absolute control of the distribution of 
the same, and when the work of relief is completed, 
make a detailed report of receipts and disbursements 
for publication, that contributors will know how the 
money and goods were disposed of. The members of 
the committee are selected upon the recommendation 
of the citizens of the respective cities to which they 
belong. 

''The money and other contributions already raised 
will be placed in their hands, and all the future con- 
tributions will be subject to their disposal. 

"It should be known that the contributions already 
received and promised fall far short of what w411 be 
needed to relieve the destitution in the cyclone dis- 
trict, and I recommend that a pu1)lic meeting l)e held 
in every city or village in the state, in order that the 



276 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

people generally may be informed of the extent of the 
disaster worked by the storm, and the demand which 
is thereby made on their generosity and sympathy. 
The first reports of the cyclone did not, as is nsnally 
the case, exaggerate the damage wrought ; in fact, 
they have only half told the story, which, as we 
learn it now, proves the storm of Jnne 1 Jth to be the 
most serious disaster that ever befell Wisconsin, or 
that has even been known in the \\'est. 

"Money is needed above all, but building material 
and hardware also are required. I am confident that 
when the people of the state come to understand 
clearly the devastation wrought, the needs of the un- 
fortunate sufl:*erers will be fully and generously met. 

"Until this conunittee has organized and made 
other arrangements, contributors to the relief fund are 
asked to continue sending their donations of money 
to the First National Bank of Hudson. 

"Edward ScofiEld, 

"Governor." 

On the 2Jd of June sub-conunittees were elected 
by and from business men of the vicinity, with power 
to employ help, and all to look to the state conunittee 
for instructions. The sub-committees were as fol- 
lows : 

Police (to have authority over ruins, and to keep 
the time of laborers employed in excavating- and clear- 
ing ruins): Thos. \\'ears, mayor; M. P. McNally, 
Jas. O'Brien. 

Relief and Hospital (to have charge of allotment 
of food supplies and stores) : Andrew Denneen, Alex 
Russell, Chas. Phillips, Mrs. G. W. Ripley. 



STATIC AID. 277 

Emergency Refreshment (to have charge of fur- 
nishing temiKjrary meals): M. S. Wells, Mrs. J. Vj. 
Ifoxie of vSt. Paul, and Mrs. ilallctt. 

Building committee (to have charge of repairing 
and erecting buildings for needy sufferers) : Thos. 
Mulrooney, M. S. Bell, G. A. Wells, J. W. Church. 
I lenry Trasier. 

Information Committee (to make a thorough can- 
vass of the city of New Kichmond, and the entire area 
damaged by the storm, in St. Croix, Polk and Barron 
counties, and make record of conditions, past and 
l)resent, of each family tliat suffered loss) : H. C. 
I*aker, Hudson; John vSakrison, Deer Park; Arthur 
vS])encer, lioardman ; Thos. Stout, Jr., Clear Lake; 
Geo. Oaks, Waldo Mosher, f). G. TJbby. Thos. Mul- 
rooney, New Richmond. 

After the appointment of the state committee 
greater hopefulness prevailed, and more activity was 
manifested in putting up buildings. People encour- 
aged themselves with the hope that about one-third 
of their loss would be made goofl to them in average 
cases; although, of course, the larger the loss the less 
the proportion would be. Very few, as a matter of 
fact, did receive such i)roj)ortion of their loss, but 
this was just after the daily ])apers near the seat of 
state government had mentioned favorably the calling 
for such a sum as would do this. We took courage 
to hope that w^e should at least have places to lay our 
heads again, and that buildings sufficiently substan- 
tial to suit our purposes for business would take the 
place of temporary shanties, and felt assured that some 



278 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

money would 1)e given to aid the most impoverished 
ones. The idea had gone forth that the preference of 
our state was to take charge of the matter, and the 
opinion was quite general that she should make ade- 
quate provision for a certain amount, say $350,000 
to $500,000, which would cover one-third to one-half 
actual loss, leaving out of consideration loss of time in 
business. This could be apportioned among commu- 
nities according to population, or according to valua- 
tion of property ; the latter, of course, finding less fa- 
vor among large property owners than small ones. It 
was believed that the situation was so unusual that 
the state should make an appropriation to aid her 
stricken and impoverished subjects, and at that time, 
so great was the flood of sympathy, and so earnest 
and whole-hearted the desire of the masses of people 
to see a community which had suffered so untowardly 
in the loss of its members restored to its former stand- 
ing, so far as charity could do it, that an arrangement 
of the kind would have met with very general appro- 
bation. Other plans were discussed ; I cannot say 
who originated them. One was that the state trust 
fund might be available for loans secured on the prop- 
erty to be improved. One gentleman suggested that 
a concert be given in every city, large and small, on 
a day appointed by the governor. Not with the no- 
tion of being tenacious of any given plan, but with a 
great desire for definiteness on the part of those who 
were to reembark in business, the Business Alen's As- 
sociation called a meeting to suggest ways and means 
of raising money, as the committee appointed by the 



STATE AID. 



279 



State disclaimed any responsibility in that matter. The 
following- account of the meeting is given l)v the Min- 
neapolis Tribune : 

"The work of relief is now so well organized and 
systematized that the business men of the town are 
able to consider ways and means for getting on their 
feet again. The committee of five which Governor 
Scofield will appoint will be concerned mainly with 
the equitable disbursement of relief funds. Hard as 
that committee's work will be, it will not be as hard 
as the getting of suf^cient funds to distribute. 

"It was to consider the latter proposition that a 
meeting of about thirty representative business men 
" of New Richmond was held at the home of W. S. Will- 
iams yesterday afternoon. 

"The plan which Dr. Epley proposed was not 
stated to the meeting in complete detail, for the reason 
that it was not prepared in detail. It provided, how- 
ever, for a systematic canvass of the larger cities and 
towns of the state, and even among the cities of neigh- 
boring states, to interest the wealthy and influential 
business men in the cyclone victims of New Richmond. 

"The doctor knew that no newspaper account of 
the work of the storm and the condition in which it 
left the town business men could make the impression 
on a man as a sight of the wreck, even as it will appear 
a month or six months hence. He will go to business 
men as a business man, and, if possible, will induce 
them to visit New Richmond, as the scene of the 
worst cyclone ever recorded. He will appeal to them. 



28o A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

as business men, to assist a set of other business men 
who are embarrasseti beyond hope of self-redemption 
by an act of God which no business acumen could 
avert. 

''By such appeals, and by organizing in other 
towns, if possible, he hopes to secure enough cash 
contributions to place New Richmond practically 
where it wa/ before the storm destroyed it. Dr. Ep- 
ley is prepared for discouragements and rebuffs, but 
he has the interests of his fellow townsmen so thor- 
oughly at heart, and is possessed of such unfailing en- 
thusiasm, that he may be successful above what his 
friends hope or expect. 

''The meeting was given permanent form by elect- 
ing M. P. McNally president and L. A. Baker secre- 
tary. Dr. Epley was given full credentials as a repre- 
sentative of New Richmond, and he started on his pil- 
grimage at once, taking the afternoon train for St. 
Paul, whence he will go to Chicago and thence to 
Milwaukee and other Wisconsin cities. As a former 
president of the state medical society, and a contrib- 
uter to many of the prominent professional journals, 
he will have no trouble in obtaining respectful hear- 
ings wherever he may go. 

"Later on his plans will include a national cyclone 
fund for the relief of all who suffer from cyclones or 
hurricanes." 

All funds were to be deposited in the First Na- 
tional Bank of Hudson for the use of the state com- 
mittee, and to their credit. Armed with letters and 
credentials from the mayor and members of the city 



STATE AID. 281 

council, and other citizens, this messenger set out on 
his mission. Two or three days were spent in con- 
ference with members of the Jobber's Union of vSt. 
Paul, Mr. Lowry, Father Cleary, Senator Davis, Hon. 
M. E. Clapp, and other Minnesota gentlemen. The 
note system, by which money for emergencies had 
been raised in that state, was favored by them. Those 
taking the responsibility were reimbursed at the next 
session of the legislature. Of these gentlemen, two 
w^hose names are familiar. Father Cleary and General 
Clapp, were willing to give their time and talent in 
speaking on the subject throughout the state, if de- 
sired. Letters were given Dr. Epley by well known 
men, and different railroads furnished him with trans- 
portation over their lines for the furtherance of his 
work, on the assurance that he held no state office. 

The measure of success resulting from his efforts, 
and the reasons for their discontinuance, may be 
drawn from the following synopsis, as reported to the 
business men by Dr. Epley : 

"On Friday, the 23d of June, I called at the capitol, 
and met Mr. Anderson, the governor's private secre- 
tary, who informed him of my mission. Mr. Ander- 
son took me at once to the governor's room, and in- 
troduced me. I told him that I was there in the inter- 
est of the New Richmond sufferers, and had called 
to urge a decision upon some definite plan for raising- 
adequate funds to assist in rebuilding the city. The 
first point to be decided was how much should be 
raised. The governor here stated that he had inves- 
tigated the matter, and from authoritative sources had 



282 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

received information 1)y which he was convinced that 
we ought to have at least three hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars. The plan, which in the judgment 
of mv counsellors promised most, which had been 
adopted by Minnesota on several occasions, and had 
proved successful and perfectly satisfactory, was then 
rehearsed to Governor Scofield, as follows : Let each 
countv raise its proportionate share on the assessed 
valuation of its property, the cash to be obtained by 
individual notes numerously signed, so as to make 
them bankable, the banks to advance the money to 
the state on these securities. Then, on the recom- 
mendation of the governor, the next legislature would 
be expected to levy tax to raise funds with which to 
pay these amounts. The governor immediately took 
the matter under advisement, and, at my request, 
asked the secretary of state to prepare a tabulated 
statement of the amounts which would be required 
from each county according to the last tax levy. This 
list, when completed, was handed me, and is as fol- 
lows : 

Adams $653-54 Dunn 2.574.92 

Ashland 2,869.94 Eau Claire 5.462.48 

Barron 1,257.95 Florence 663.40 

Bayfield 3.049.74 Fond du Lac 10,278.20 

Brown 5.045.08 Forest 748.55 

Buffalo 1.473.87 Grant 5,162.05 

Burnett 440.92 Green 5,440.27 

Calumet 3,475.06 Green Lake 2,836.43 

Chippewa 4.338.26 Iowa 4.234.52 

Clark 2,315.13 Iron 832.95 

Columbia 6,551.16 Jackson 1,313.08 

Crawford 1,462.53 Jefferson 6.923.38 

Dane 15,575.28 Juneau io49i8 

Dodge 8.413.49 Kenosha 3.917-53 

Door 1,609.02 Kewaunee 2.398.86 

Douglas 5,347.26 La Crosse 9,006.42 



STATE AID. 



283 



Lafayette 3,636.92 

Langlade 1,362.16 

Manitowoc 6,963.20 

Marathon $3,307.89 

Mantiowoc 6,963.20 

Marinette 3.529.64 

Marquette 935-45 

Milwaukee 76,349.67 

Monroe 2,290.50 

Oconto 1,767.12 

Oneida 2,023.26 

Outagamie 5.824.70 

Ozaukee 4,011.27 

Pepin 669.57 

Pierce 2.646.43 

Polk 1,516.59 

Portage 3A42.37 

Price 872.83 

Racine 11,102.72 



Richland 2,207.82 

Rock 12,485.98 

St. Croix 3,605.64 

Sauk 5,499-77 

Sawyer 726.00 

Shawano 1,918.61 

Sheboygan 11,112.79 

Taylor 953-63 

Trempleau 2,345.91 

Vernon 2.492.30 

Vilas 453.57 

Walworth 9.384.93 

Washburn 394-55 

Washington 6,738.68 

Waukesha 11,093.35 

Waupaca 2,958.10 

Waushara 1.335-43 

Winnebago 11,159.39 

Wood 1,944.22 



"This, the governor said, would only require a 
levy upon the taxable property of one-sixth of a mill. 
He then left for Oconto, to attend to personal affairs 
connected with his lumbering business, requesting a 
meeting at Hotel Pfister, in Milwaukee, on the follow- 
ing Monday. 

''I then telegraphed Dr. Mackie of Milwaukee, 
requesting him, with other members of the medical 
profession, to assemble at the Plankington, at nine 
o'clock in the evening. On my arrival I found a num- 
ber of Milwaukee's most influential physicians, who 
arranged for me meetings on the following day with 
many of Alilwaukee's most prominent business men, 
such as Mr. Wilkins, manager of the Milwaukee Mer- 
cantile Club, and Mr. F. H. Bigelow, president of the 
First National Bank. These men, without exception, 
indorsed the plan which had been outlined to the gov- 
ernor, and each expressed a willingness to become one 
of the signers of the proposed notes. 



284 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

"According to agreement, I met the governor on 
Monday morning, June 26th, and, at his request, again 
in the afternoon, with his private secretary. At these 
interviews Governor Scofield explained that he could 
not see his way clear to adopt the note plan for raising 
the $350,000, hut that he would make a strong appeal 
to each county to raise its share of that amount, and 
that he felt perfectly confident they would respond 
with even more than the sum asked. He knew his 
own county (Oconto) and Winnehago, and others 
which he mentioned, would do so, and that enough 
others throughout the state would do so that the pres- 
sure would be so great that the whole state would fall 
in line. At these interviews, which lasted fully three 
hours, he seemed much moved, and just before I left 
him he held my hand while assuring me again of faith 
in this plan, and that it should be acted upon, with a 
strong appeal, immediately." 

So our official efforts were pigeonholed, and all 
our hopes for aid commensurate with the calamity 
centered in our governor. 

This was Governor Scofield's plan, as outlined by 
the Milwaukee Journal : 

''Let a committee of responsible men be formed 
who shall determine what amount is immediately 
wanted, and how much in all. Let them then appor- 
tion the sum among the various communities of the 
state. Then the organization should be extended 
for the purpose of influencing each community to raise 
its share, and a little more, to meet deficiencies. The 
newspapers should be active. Every one would then 



STATi; AID. 285 

feel that he is called upon to do something. What- 
ever is given in this way and in this spirit will be with- 
out taint, immediate and acceptable to all." 

Further quotation from the same columns say : 

''In opposition to the plan to provide for an ap- 
propriation, it is stated that such a move would cut off 
many donations by individuals, that the plan is wrong- 
in itself, and that the state as a state should not be 
called upon to repair losses that should appeal to the 
generosity of the citizens as such. 

"In regard to the matter Dr. Epley said to a 
Journal representative as follows : 

" 'I believe that something should be done at once 
for the relief of those poor, stricken people of our 
city. I proposed the state-aid plan, because there 
was not sufficient aid extended under the present sys- 
tem, or lack of it. I am not tenacious of the appro- 
priation plan, but in the event that the present system 
fails to provide adequate returns, as it has so far, I be- 
lieve that we are justified in urging that an appropria- 
tion be made. For instance, I was talking to one of 
the most prominent men in Milwaukee in regard to 
subscriptions. He said that he noticed that in all 
cases in which a call was made for subscriptions, the 
burdens fell upon a certain few, while others just as 
able to make contributions as those who did make 
them went free. This is not right, he said, and it 
would be more equitable to have an appropriation 
made and the appropriation come out of the taxes, 
which are levied upon all ahke. 

" 'I think that about $350,000 should be raised by 
appropriation by the state, and about the same 



286 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

amount by private subscription. It is very hard to 
convince the people in general of the utter need of the 
liberal appropriations that are sought. For instance, 
it will take over one-third of all the money received 
thus far to clear away the debris of the tornado. Fifty- 
eight city blocks were destroyed, and of these fifty- 
eight blocks of buildings, twenty-eight were so utterly 
demolished as to make the debris fit only for kindling- 
wood. The destroyed portion of the city covers 175 
acres.' " 

Dr. Epley's report further continues : 
"At my first interview with the governor I asked 
him if there was not some fund upon which he could 
draw for the relief of sufferers by such a calamity as 
this. He said : No ; that the only emergency fund 
was one of $50,000, sul)ject to the order of the state 
board of health, for the prevention of the introduction 
of Asiatic cholera or other dangerous and infectious 
diseases into the state. I said I could see no good rea- 
son why some of this could not be used for clearing up 
the city, as there certainly would be great danger of 
epidemic disease if the filth could not be got at and 
removed. After some thought he said he was in- 
clined to believe it could, and unhesitatingly said that 
he would endorse its use if the state board of health 
authorized it. On Saturday, the 24th, I called upon 
Dr. \\'ingate, secretary of the board, and found he 
had just received several letters from Hudson, detail- 
ing the unsanitary condition of things in New Rich- 
mond, and wiring the board of health to act promptly, 
to prevent pestilence being added to the awful calam- 



STATE AID. 287 

ity. Upon my explaining to him the governor's 
position regarding the nse of the emergency fund in 
the hands of his board, he at once sent a letter to the 
attorney general, asking his opinion as to the legality 
of such use of the fund, to which reply was received 
that, 'in his opinion, it would be legal and perfectly 
justifiable.' This opinion was afterwards repeated to 
Mr. Mosher and myself in Oshkosh by the general 
himself. 

"It being impossible for the state board to meet in 
New Richmond for several days, and the necessity for 
prompt action being urgent, the president and secre- 
tarv commissioned me to act in their stead until their 
arrival. 

''Following are the telegrams recalling me to Xew 
Richmond : 

"'New Richmond, Wis., June 24, 1899. — Dr. F. 
W. Epley (W. J. Boyle, Plankington House) : Come 
here at once. We need, and must have, your help — 
C. A. ChambERIvAIN, Secretary.' 

"And later the same day came this message : 

'' 'McNally's letter read. You are needed for san- 
itary measures and general advice. Fill appointment 
wdth governor; then return. — C. A. Chamberlain.' 

"Upon my arrival at New Richmond. June 27th, a 
crew of twenty-five men, with three teams and a fore- 
man, were set at w ork. A few days later the state 
board met here in a body (only two members being- 
absent), approved the steps already taken, and agreed 
upon plans for a thorough cleaning up of a filth of 
every description. The force of workmen was in- 



288 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

creased to fifty or sixty, and kept at work with few 
intermissions until the 12th of iVugust, when all work 
by the board of health ceased. The work authorized 
by the state board and accomplished by the local 
board was the removal of all rubbish necessary to en- 
able the workmen to get at and remove all animal and 
vegetable matter, and scrape and disinfect the sur- 
face of the ground wherever any filth was found in 
the track of the tornado, and all such matter either 
burned or buried. 

"The pay rolls for this work were paid by the re- 
lief committee, and the amount charged against the 
city, which in turn made duplicate bills and presented 
them to the state board of health for payment out of 
the emergency fund. The bills aggregated $8,950.30, 
but owing to a technicality only $3,862.27 w^as paid 
out of this fund, leaving a deficit $5,088.03, which 
came out of the relief moneys contributed. This rep- 
resents the sum total of all moneys received through 
official channels." 

On July 13th Governor Scofield issued an appeal 
to the seventy county boards of the state, a copy being 
sent to each chairman, stating that $75,000 more was 
needed to furnish Important and necessary relief. It 
was stated that all the committee proposed to do, or 
would do, was to help those who had become totally 
destitute by the storm to get into a position where 
they could become self-sustaining. After the date 
of this appeal, $19,000 was contributed to the relief 
fund. 

The work of the state and sub-committees was 
burdensome and intricate, as it had to do with the con- 



STATi: AID. 289 

sideration of every kind of material and supplies, and 
all sorts and conditions of men. But all their duties 
were performed for purely humane considerations and 
gave very general satisfaction. Different members 
also made large contributions to the fund. Their 
brief report is interesting, and I take the liberty to 
make some selections from it : 

"After having relieved the immediate necessities 
of all for food and clothing, and provided temporary 
homes and business places, we did not attempt any 
apportionment of funds until the information com- 
mittee had finished its canvass, when the losers were 
classified, selecting from them as a preferred class 
those who were entirely without resources, and who, 
by a resolution published, were made preferred claim- 
ants upon the funds in our hands. We found many 
worthy people wdio had been large losers, but wdio 
still had ample resources to secure them against suffer- 
ing. Some of these insisted that the fact of their 
great loss should entitle them to a share of the funds 
in our hands in proportion to their losses, and to such 
it was a great disappointment, and to some it seemed 
even an injustice, that their claims should be denied ; 
but in this matter, as in fact in all matters coming 
before us, our committee w^as found unanimous in its 
decision that it would regard the funds as a trust for 
charitable distribution according to needs, and not 
an insurance fund for losses. 

"From the character of the homes destroyed, and 
the fact that in most cases a good founda^tion remained 
upon the lot, it was early decided that we would not 

19 



290 A MODERN H^RCULANEUM. 

attempt to build dwellings, but that we would appor- 
tion to each needy loser a certain amount in money or 
material, and trust to each one to plan and superin- 
tend the erection of his own work, and so avoid the 
disagreeable sameness necessarily seen where a num- 
ber of houses are built upon similar plans. It was 
found that a number of lots were mortgaged, and 
where such mortgages were in excess of the value of 
the bare lot, we insisted in every case, before giving 
any aid toward building upon it, that the amount of 
the mortgage be reduced to the value of the lot after 
the storm, it being our opinion that the owner of the 
mortgage should suffer such share of the loss as the 
impairment of the security would occasion him if he 
were to foreclose. In almost all cases we found that 
the owners of the mortgages were entirely in harmony 
with us, and that they voluntarily reduced the debt 
even more than we would have demanded. In cases 
where the mortgagee was not so willing, we advised 
the loser to abandon the property to the mortgagee, 
and in such cases we aided in the purchase of new 
building sites, as we did not believe that a generous 
public had contributed these funds for the benefit of 
the well-to-do owners of these mortgages. 

"One hundred and fifteen persons were killed in 
the storm, two lost an arm each, one lost the sight of 
one eye, and seven lost the use of one leg and are 
now upon crutches. Two hundred and thirty-three 
persons, residents of New Richmond, registered with 
us as losers, representing in their families eight hun- 



STATi: AID. 291 

dred and forty-three individuals. One hundred and 
forty-eight persons registered from the country, rep- 
resenting seven hundred and twenty-nine individuals. 
The property loss as registered foots $624,'/6;^.it;; to 
which must be added a large amount lost by those 
who made no application for aid and offered no record 
of losses. 

''Those merchants who were owing the wholesale 
dealer unpaid bills for goods found, without excep- 
tion, their creditors as generous as they could pos- 
sibly ask, canceling in full many debts, settling others 
at a small percentage, and extending liberal credit 
for new stock of goods; and, in addition to doino- all 
this, the jobbers, as shown in the statements here- 
with, were among the largest cash contributors to 
the general relief fund. 

"We did everything possible to keep the business 
of New Richmond in the hands of the former busi- 
ness men, encouraging them to start in at once, and 
turning over to them all lines of business as fast as 
they were able to undertake them. 

"At first, with the smaller amount of money at 
our disposal, and while large quantities of clothing, 
bedding and furniture were being received, such 
goods were allotted to all sufferers, and no money 
given to those losers who had been living in rented 
houses ; but later, with increased funds, we were able 
to allot about one hundred and fifty dollars in money 
to each such needy family, and also increase the allot- 
ment to needy losers of dwehings, giving to some of 



292 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

these, who had but Httle earning capacity, as much 
as eight hundred and fifty dollars for rebuilding resi- 
dences and furnishing same, and to some merchants 
as high as seven hundred dollars toward establishing 
them again in business. 

"The city, with half its taxable property wiped 
out, its waterworks, city hall, electric light plant and 
bridge ruined, and no money in its treasury for these 
public necessities nor for the public schools, was, from 
the first, a source of concern. It was early resolved 
that we rebuild the pumping station and water tower, 
as an immediate necessity for health. The city 
bridge was later on repaired and erected again, 
through the liberality of the Chicago Bridge & Iron 
Company a:nd the railwav companies, at a compara- 
tivelv small expense to us, and aid was given in re- 
storing the electric lights and in the opening of the 
public schools. All of this work was of pressing im- 
portance, and the committee, seeing the city with no 
resources, no power to borrow the necessary funds, 
and no possibilitv of raising them by taxes, could do 
no less than it did ; for if the city was to have a chance 
with neighboring towns, its merchants and property 
holders must not be over-burdened with taxes, and 
newcomers must not be frightened away bv the pros- 
pect of heavy taxation. We have left the citv with 
its bonded indebtedness up to the five per cent legal 
limit, but otherwise in good condition. 

"Throughout the entire period, we were mindful 
of the unfortunate ones who were to come back from 
the hospitals, with the probable loss of the use of 



STATE AID. 293 

limbs for life, and we held always in reserve a fund to 
be apportioned among them. This was done at our 
last meeting, and if any other loser thinks he was not 
so liberally treated as some of these, let him remem- 
ber that any one of them would gladly give all he 
has, and more too, for the use again of a paralyzed 
limb. 

''We found in the city of New Richmond many 
fire insurance policies, but only two tornado policies. 
As previously narrated, lire was undoubtedly set by 
lightning in the storm, and this spread through about 
one-half the wreckage of merchants' stores, destroy- 
ing all the goods which were left in the basements, 
and these had been mostly uninjured; also, all the 
goods left among the debris of the upper parts of the 
buildings, which goods were valuable, as proved by 
the salvage from stores where no fire spread. A care- 
fully prepared statement of the damage by fire to mer- 
chandise covered by the fire insurance poHcies shows a 
loss by fire of $46,325.00; and yet, in spite of the fact 
that these sufferers had paid their money for insurance 
against loss by fire, they were unable to get payment 
from the insurance companies for their fire losses. We 
invited the managers of twenty-four insurance com- 
panies, having policies upon these goods, to meet us 
in St. Paul to discuss the matter ; but at the meeting 
only six companies were represented, and these by 
men who were not, as a rule, authorized to bind their 
companies to do anything. It was thought that in 
Chicago a meeting of the managers could be had, and 
we, as a committee, went to Chicago, visited several 



294 A MODERN IIERCUIANi^UH. 

managers of the interested companies, l)iit could not 
induce them to join in a general meeting with us, and 
so we were obliged to abandon the attempt to have 
these companies recognize a moral, if not a legal, ob- 
ligation for the damage by fire. One loser only by 
fire, Mr. O. J. Williams, in whose store the fire was 
set, secured bv compromise twenty-five per cent of his 
fire insurance, and this is the only such loss paid even 
in part, so far as we have been able to learn. \\^e 
would have been pleased to have carried one of these 
cases of fire loss to the court of last resort, but a care- 
ful examination of the law, kindly made for us by 
Attorney General Hicks, led us to believe that the 
obligation could not be legally enforced. That defect 
in the wording of the standard fire insurance policy of 
our state which makes it possible for the insurance 
companies to avoid the payment of these losses calls 
for such legislation as will correct this matter, and we 
trust that the governor may recommend this to our 
next legislature. The fact that cyclone insurance 
policies do not insure against subsequent fire loss 
makes it now impossible for such sufferers as those at 
New Richmond to protect themselves, even if they 
were to take out both fire and cyclone policies." 

In closing the committee say : 

''We have been called together for ten separate 
meetings at New Richmond, besides one in St. Paul 
and one in Chicago; and have spent sixteen days 
in session, and in all our decisions have been unani- 
mous. We cannot claim to have been infallible, nor, 
in all cases, equitable, in our awards among the dif- 



STATE AID. 295 

ferent applicants for aid ; but we have striven hard to 
get facts upon which to base our decisions, and acting 
upon the facts as we had them, have considered the 
funds in our hands as a sacred trust, to be distributed 
in such way as the donors would approve. We are 
pleased to have found the greater number thankful 
for the benefits received, as well as mindful of the 
needs of others. 



SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. 



RECEIPTS. 

Cash received from United States, except Minne- 
sota and Wisconsin $4752 55 

Cash received from Minnesota 49,854 18 

Cash received from Wisconsin 65,043 08 

Cash received from parties whose addresses are un- 
known 262 3 I 

Donations of lumber, brick, furniture, clothing and 

labor 16,547 70 

Licenses, and sales of meals and refreshments 946 31 

Total receipts $137,406 13 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Cash aid given to 76 persons to rebuild dwellings 

(greatest amount given to any one person, $750) $32,376 91 
Cash aid given to 21 persons to repair dwellings 

(greatest amount given to any one person, $400) 2,522 59 

Cash aid given to 74 persons to refurnish dwellings 

(greatest amount given to any one person, $300) 7.9o8 54 

Cash aid given to 41 persons and firms to rebuild 

stores (greatest amount given to any one per- 
son, $700) 14,547 01 



296 A MODERN HERCUIvANEUM. 

Cash aid given to business men who did not own 
store buildings (greatest amount given to any 

one person, $800) 16,447 66 

Cash aid given to 23 cripples (greatest amount 

given to any one person, $850) 6,525 27 

Cash aid given to property losses in the country: 

To 47 persons in St. Croix county district 

(greatest amount given to any one person, 

$600) 7,100 00 

To 78 persons in Polk and Barron county dis- 
tricts (greatest amount given to any one per- 
son, $200) 4,535 00 

Temporary relief, provisions $4,558 18 

Temporary relief, shelter 758 55 

Temporary relief, repairs made by com- 
mittee 2,201 24 7,517 97 

Outfitting (stoves, furniture and cloth- 
ing) 9,603 18 

Undertakers' bills 1,027 20 

Hospital and doctors' bills for 123 pa- 
tients 3,665 34 4,692 54 

Uity of New Richmond: 

Bridge $1,495 IZ 

Tower 2,430 59 

Power House 2,065 85 

City Schools 2,024 05 

Electric Light 3,500 00 

:Miscellaneous 340 92 1 1,857 14 

Clearing away debris 9-716 69 

Administration expense i,544 80 

Balance on hand (to be paid to destitute parties and 

to cover expense of report) 5io 83 

Total disbursements $I37,406 13 



IN MEMORIAM. 297 



CHAPTER XL 



In Memoriam. 



There is no death! What seems so is transition; 

This Hfe of mortal breath, 
Is but the suburb to the Hfe elysian, 

Whose portal we call death. 

— Longfellow— "Kcsignation." 

When called upon by death to part with members 
of the family, and the time comes for us to place 
their bodies in the tomb, there is some solace in the 
thought that every possible mark of respect has been 
shown them, that loving- friends have offered tribute 
to the memory of the departed; and that, in their 
taking off, recollections of the good they have done 
still hover about and prove incentives for others. 
For this end are the ceremonials of burial performed 
— the sacred consolations of religion offered. The 
sweet ministrations of friends to soothe the hours of 
loneliness sometimes prove the saving power which, 
after a time, makes life seem lovely again, and worth 
the li\'ing. How different the quiet laying away, as 
one by one they pass to that "bourne from whence no 
traveler returns," from the circumstances of this time ! 
The same ready friends who furnished needed articles 
for the living also anticipated the necessities required 
for laying the dead to rest and assisted in the neces- 



298 A MODERN HERCULANE'JM. 

sary arrangements. General service was given for 
the greater number. The words spoken were few. 
and sympathy was manifested more by silence than 
by speech. There were little bands of mourners 
whose particular affliction had drawn them together, 
but in the presence of such common woe none felt like 
saying, "My trouble surpasses any other." Each one 
seemed mindful of the desolateness of the other, and 
the common impulse was one of tenderness and affil- 
iation. The unspoken thought seemed to be : "^^^e 
have suffered by the same cause, together we face the 
blankness of life. It is the divine will." There was 
very little demonstration of the grief which seemed 
too deep to find relief in tears. The saddened coun- 
tenances showed such lines as hard experience some- 
times traces in months or years; this was the expres- 
sion of the sorrow and despair crowded into the hours 
of a night and a day. When the last sad rites were 
over all quietly returned to their trying labors. 

The second day, and the third, and succeeding 
ones, had similar burials, with an occasional one from 
the homes where arrangements could be made. The 
funeral cortege, pitifully small, moved along in the 
midst of a procession of teams bent on various other 
missions. It is true that rapid sequence of events 
prevented the performance of many acts of condo- 
lence to the afflicted ones, but, as the years go on, the 
memory of those who left us at this time will be cher- 
ished, their virtues extolled, and their sorrowing fam- 
ilies will be the recipients of deeper pity than words 
can express. The peculiar circumstances of their 



IN MEMORIAM. 



299 



death will be more widely known than perhaps those 
of any others that ever have or ever will take place 
h-ere. But to each heart bereaved there is its secret 
burden of bitteni^ss or sorrow which will be lifted 
only when the gentle hand of time has erased the last 
remembrance of their companionship and affection. 
Will such time ever come? Is it not rather resig-na- 
tion that calms the mind, and dictates that the atten- 
tion be turned to the duties of the present and the 
care of the friends who remain with us. 



300 



A MODERN HDRCULANIIUM. 



I,IST OF VICTIMS OF THE TORNADO. 



Name. 


Residence. 


Place of Birth. 


Age 


Burial Place. 


Bixby, W. W 

Blatz :Mike 


New Richmond.. 
Stillwater ... . 


Maine 


71 
35 
19 
15 
9 
II 
60 
22 
14 
37 
24 


New Richmond 




New Richmond 


Butler, Miss Cora 

Brockbank, Bernard.. 

Brockbank, Josie 

Brockbank, Es.sie 

Berce Charles 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New^ Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

Richmond 

Star Prairie . . 


Wisconsin 

Hammond 

Hammond 

Hammond 

Maine 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond 


Biglow, Harold H 

Brown, Karl 

Brown, Walter 


New Richmond.. 

Wi.sconsin 

New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 


Bridge lyOttie 






Cosgrove, Catherine. . . 
Callahan, Wm 


New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

New Richmond.. 

Pewaukee 

Richmond 

Emerald 


Ireland 


74 
45 

26 
30 


Hudson Wis 


Erin 




Carej', Edmond J 

Cameron, Mrs. C 

Casey, John 

Clough, Nattie 

Dunbar. Henry 

Dunbar, Mrs. Henry.. 

Engstrom, Effie 

Engstrom, Roj^ 

Early, Anthony G 

Early, Fred 

Earlv Miss Kate 


Vermont 


Battleboro N Y 


Pepin, Wis 

Erin 


New Richmond. 
Erin. 






New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

Richmond 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 




78 
76 

8 
6 
55 
14 
26 
80 
27 

7 
40 

55 
50 
97 
42 
40 

50 
18 
16 
^3 
25 
50 
20 
10 
14 
55 
45 
78 
12 
70 
85 
20 
22 
22 
14 
5 




Ireland 


Erin. 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Ireland . . 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
Erin. 


New Richmond.. 
Erin 


Erin. 
Erin. 


*Early. Patrick 

Early, Michael 

Farrell, Walter 

Fowler. C. F 

Gould W. .S 


Ireland 


New Richmond 


Wi.sconsin 

New Richmond.. 
Pennsylvania 


Erin. 

New Richmond. 

New Richmond. 


Gorman Pat 


Ireland 


New Richmond. 








Gillen, Mrs. J9hn C. .. 






Wisconsin 






Richmond 

Hammond 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Stanton 




Hawkins, Freddie 

Hawkins, Mrs. N. S.. . 
Hawkin.s, Miss Millie.. 
Hawkins, Evangeline. 

Hawkins, Walter 

Heffron Mike 


Wisconsin 

New York 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 

Wisconsin 

New York 

Wisconsin 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
Stanton. 


Hicks, J. B 

Hollenbeck. Ma.son . . . 
*Hollenheck Archie 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richm:)nd.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 


Hughes. Willie 

Heffron Mrs. David. . . 


New Richmond. 


*Henry. John 

Harrington, M 

Hennessv, Miss L,illie.. 

Hurd, Mrs. G 

Henr>', Patrick 

Johnson. Hjalmer 

Jennings, Frank 

Johnson. Matilda 

Keaten. Pat 


Richmond 

Richmond 

Erin 

Boardman 


Wisconsin 

Ireland 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 






Pennsylvania . . . 

Ireland 

Wisconsin 

Wi.sconsin 

Wisconsin 

New Richmond.. 
Stanton 


New Richmond. 
Cvlon. 


New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

Alden (Polk Co.) 
Cvlon 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
Cylon. 
Stanton. 


Kelley, John 

Kennetz Fred 


Stanton 


Polk county 






I,arson, Carl 


Baldwin 









IN MEMORIAM. 



301 



I,IST OF VICTIMS OF THE TORNADO— Cow^m?^^^. 



Name. 


Residence. 


Place of Birth. 


Age 


Burial Place. 


lyCgard, Anton 

I^egard, Miss Ida 

L,ambdin, Miss Vinnie 
I^ewis, Mrs. J. H. W... 
Lewis, Frankie 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 




40 

5 
60 
40 
68 
26 
6 
2 
20 
26 
16 
30 
22 
38 
50 




New Richmond.. 

Green Bay 

Pennsylvania 

New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 




Richmond 

New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Hudson 


Wi.sconsin 

Utica, N. Y 

Wisconsin 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 

Hammond 

Pierce county. .. 
Hudson 




McClure, Mrs. John... 

McGrath, Nellie 

McGrath, gillie 

McGrath, Marion 

McMahon, Miss Edna. 
*Martin, Thomas P.... 
McKinnon. Mi.ss Katie 


Chilton, Wis. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond, 
Hudson. 


Monahan Miss Mary . 


River Falls 

Hammond. 

Wisconsin 

Ireland 


Hudson 


McCabe, Thomas.. ..".. 

Nooman, Timothy 

Newell Patrick 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Stanton. 


New Richmond. 

Stillwater, 

Stanton 










Nel.son Nels 


Alden (Polk Co.) 

Richmond 

Polk county 








O'Connell, Henry 

Olson Sam 




48 








Patton, Tohn G 

Porter, Dwight 

Pardon, Nicholas F.. 


New Richmond.. 
vStanton 


Minnesota 


35 
30 
27 
21 
80 

% 

24 
28 
28 
66 

^8 
6 
4 

34 

33 
4 


Plainview. Minn. 


New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Erin 


Erin . . 


New Richmond 




Wisconsin 

New York 

New York 

New Richmond.. 
Erin. 




Rosebrook, Alvin 

Rosebrook, Mrs. Alvin 
Rosebrook, Miss Cora 

Ring, Miss Laura 

Ring, George 

Ryberg, John 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
Erin. 








New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

Richmond 

Richmond 

Richmond 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
vStillwater 


Sweden. . . 


New Richmond. 


Rowe, Mrs. Thomas. . 
Sheady, Mrs. James. . . 


New York 

Wisconsin 

Richmond 

Richmond 

Richmond 

Wisconsin 

Wisconsin 

New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 


Sheady, Florence 

Sheady, Reynold 

Stack, George 

Stack. Mrs. George — 

Stack, Thomas 

Shumaker, Jack 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Stanton. . 




66 
20 

1 

50 
15 
12 
40 
50 
22 
13 
23 
4 


Erin. 








Talmadge, Charles F.. 

Vail, James 

Wells, John 

Wells, Stephen 

nvallin, Lester 

Wells Willard 


Minnesota 

Wisconsin 

Ireland 


New Richmond. 


New Richmond.. 

Richmond 

Richmond 

New Richmond.. 
NCAv Richmond.. 


Stanton. 
Erin. 


Erin . 


Erin. 


New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 


Wills, John 

Wills Patrick 






Erin. 




Erin 




Wears, Mi.ss Gertie 

Williams, Miss Abbie.. 


Richmond 

New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 
Unknown 


Boardman 

vStanton 


Boardman. 


Williams, Hazel 

Unknown, four 


New Richmond.. 
New Richmond.. 


New Richmond. 
New Richmond. 



302 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

I will not dwell upon the distress of those who 
sought longest for their relatives, nor the scenes 
which transpired as the last hope of finding them liv- 
ing was given up. Mr. Patrick Early, a young man 
whose parents lived some miles from town, took shel- 
ter in the O. J. \Mlliams store. Neither of the three 
persons who escaped with their lives from that build- 
ing had recognized him definitely when he stood by 
the stairs, but afterwards recollected that a tall young 
man was among their number. After the interment 
of the body supposed to be that of ]\Ir. Henry another 
body was found in the basement of the building (June 
27th) which certain articles seemed to indicate was 
that of Mr. Henrv. It was then developed that the 
articles found with the former body were efifects of 
Mr. Early, so much defaced as to be recognizable only 
by careful examination, but unmistakable when such 
scrutiny was made. 

Messrs. Thos. Martin and Lester \\^allin were 
among the later ones located, and Archie Hollenbech 
was not certainly found. ]\Ir. Martin had been cast 
into a building other than his own, thus baffling the 
searchers. Lester had been down street, and prob- 
ably ran in back of the Gillen building for shelter. 
Archie had been in the market (Mr. Smith had seen 
him there), but the fire prevented overhauling the 
ruins. For their afflicted ones, "steeped to the lips 
in misery," nature spent itself in the direction of suf- 
fering. Day after day Mrs. Early paced the road near 
her country home straining her eyes in the direction 
of town, hoping to see the rescue party coming with 
definite news. Day after day Air. Holenbeck fol- 



IN MEMORIA]\r. 



303 



lowed every suggestive clue without success. He 
was at last forced to conclude that the body of his 
son had been claimed by others and taken away. 
Others too had distressing hours of anxiety and trial. 
It may seem strange that I should speak of this 
here, when words of consolation should more appro- 
priately be said. But all these sad circumstances are 
indelible. That we know of them and join in the sor- 
row is all the consolation possible for us to offer. 
That which sanctifies bereavement must come from 
within, and be born of the Spirit. 



304 A MODERN HERCULAN5;UM. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Conclusion. 



The heart may give a useful lesson to the head, 
And learning, wiser grow, without his books. 

— Cozvfcr. 

It seems to have been demonstrated that the safest 
place of refuge from a tornado is the cellar of a frame 
building, on the side nearest the approaching cloud. 
Although there were terrible injuries (some resulting 
fatally) inflicted on people in such refuges, notably the 
Early family. In the case of the Early family, it may 
be that the board partitions were the cause. In the 
basements of brick and stone buildings some escaped 
destruction, and Mr. Glover and his companions, one 
McGrath family, and others mentioned, saw the su- 
perstructure go to pieces, while they remained, but 
little if at all injured, upon the floor. 

Elderly people were averse to seeking refuge in 
the cellars. Mr. and Mrs. Rosebrooks, Mrs. Link 
and I^«Irs. Rowe are said to have been opposed to such 
procedure ; and it is reasonable to suppose that these 
elderly people, who had been years in the place with- 
out seeing any very serious results from wind storms, 
did not appreciate the alarm that younger people and 



CONCLUSION. 305 

newer residents felt. It is said that the expression of 
Mrs. Link's face when last seen in her house, just as 
the family went below, was perfectly calm and uncon- 
cerned, and she had declined to yield to the earnest 
entreaties of her husband to accompany them. In 
fact, she said, in regard to the noise, "It's a freight 
train." When recovered, some time after, quite a dis- 
tance from the house, she said: "What's all this 
about? What is the matter? I need some medi- 
cine !" Something was given her, but she soon passed 
away. It has been said, that, as Mrs. Link was her 
own banker, and had quite a sum of money in the 
house, she may have remained to secure it. But all 
such surmises are mere conjecture. It is much more 
likely that she was not alarmed. W'e are told that 
we should heed the warnings; the clammy atmos- 
phere, the gusts of wind from the south, etc. We did 
not have any gusts of wind more than we have hun- 
dreds of times without noticing them. Also, that, 
when a tornado is coming, "it is hard to breathe." 
This is so, b)Ut not so noticeably that the sign would 
be sure until the tornado is right upon us. A silence 
is said to precede it, and then a roaring comes, and 
you should run. That's the way we feel about it when 
we hear it — not before. 

It is said : "If you run west or northwest you may 
avoid it." If those on the east side of this one had 
started west at the time they heard the roaring, at all 
hampered by feeble ones and children, most of them 
would have been in the worst of it. They could not 
have reached its western limit. The Misses Barrett 



3o6 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

ran west to the residence of Mr. M. N. O'Brien. It 
was not far enough, but they dared not go further. 
They were spared injury, though the O'Brien home 
was destroyed.* Those east of the river could barely 
have reached the bank, where a shower of fragments 
were hurled, both from the east and the west. Some 
saved their lives here by running east, happening to 
calculate the limit of destruction correctly. 

It is true that there are now many comments on 
the peculiar stickiness of the air, and the stupidity 
which it caused, but this would not have been attrib- 
uted to external conditions had not such good reasons 
for it been brought. 

I do not wish to appear frivolous in my treatment 
of so serious a matter, but really, in the absence of 
a more lengthy warning, we could have done but lit- 
tle more than we did — ^just huddle into the nearest 
basement, and ask the good Lord to save our souls. 
If we had time for it, a pillow or something of the 
kind might be wrapped about the head and face. 
(Mrs. Hollenbeck's sight was destroyed by particles 
of sand, driven into the eyeballs.) But if some chance 
should force the pillow against the face, and keep it 
there, we should be smothered, although it might have 
protected us from bruises on the head. 

We should not be too anxious to close the house, 
on account of the delay it would cause, and because 
of the danger of being hit by flying missiles. Mr. C. 
F. Talmadge lost his life while attempting to perform 
*This house (rebuilt) was afterwards burned, with all its con- 
tents. 



CONCLUSION. 307 

such duties about the premises of a home northwest of 
the line of destruction. He was probably hit by 
boards which had been thrown ofif and then drawn 
back towards the center of the vortex, as he was on 
the northwest side of a heavy stone residence, which 
remained intact except for windows broken on that 
side. 

There can be no doubt of the extraordinary power 
of this particular occurrence, especially in the sudden- 
ness of the attack, and the incredible swiftness of the 
transit at this point. Such a blending- of unfavorable 
features is infrequent, though the separate constitu- 
ents may be found in other phenomena of its kind. 
The funnel shape of the cloud was not suf^ciently 
defined to appear to all. Mr. Casca Straight, whose 
view was from the southeast side, says the end or tail 
of the funnel trailed on the ground, swinging around, 
as would the lash of a whip if held in the hand and 
moved in a circle on the ground. Mr. Michael Will- 
iams, who viewed it from the same direction, says the 
column of cloud seemed to drag its lower part, trailing 
it on the ground ''like a big black rag." They 
also report hearing an additional crash when the city 
went down. I am aware that some of the later con- 
tributions to these pages, written after the interval 
which had passed allowed a retrospective view of the 
hours preceding the tornado, note the various signs 
which are the supposed forerunners of the typical 
tornado. These have no doubt been recalled after 
some study, but were not sufficiently marked or un- 
usual to cause general apprehension at the time. I 



3o8 A MODF,RN HERCUl^ANEUM. 

have yet to hear of one who said, ''The signs point to 
a tornado," before their attention was attracted to 
the pecuHar formation of the cumulating clouds. Even 
then there were few who felt sure of what was to hap- 
pen, most regarding the signs as forerunners of hail or 
rains storms, accompanied by wind, probably; but 
very few said or thought ''tornado" or "cyclone" until 
the blood-curdling roar seemed to cry out a warning. 
From the point of observation in the extreme south- 
west the rapid changes can be followed by the various 
descriptions, some observing one feature, some an- 
other. The coppery light, which a lady in Hudson 
said appeared to be reflected upon the northern hori- 
zon from the advancing cloud, was here observed. A 
last glimpse of our own smooth lawn showed such a 
splendid green that the children exclaimed at it in 
passing the window. Mrs. Fink, my neighbor to the 
eastward, saw the brilliant red and green on separate 
edges of the cloud as it lowered to the street, just by 
the Congregational church. Mr. Hillier noted the 
electrical demonstration as "balls of fire;" also seen 
from the mill yard. Mrs. Edwards speaks of "lumi- 
nous balls." Mrs.-McShane's thought, to which she 
gave utterance as she joined the Chapman family, 
was: "That looks like the moon when it is red. It 
must be some heavenly body coming toward us. This 
must be the end of the world." 

The whirling motion was from left to right, and 
the center of the column appeared to draw up into it- 
self all objects, and then throw them forth in whirls, 
after grinding them to fragments. Along North Green 



CONCLUSION. 309 

and North Arch streets the disseminating force was 
most marked, many fragments being whirled past 
each other. During the passage of the "wall of cloud" 
across the wide spread, the funnel shape became less 
well defined. The linear progress of the tornado was 
at an average rate of about five- eighths of a mile a 
minute, although between Boardman and New Rich- 
mond the speed must have been as much as one mile 
a minute. Trees, buildings, etc., on the southwest 
limit of the totally destroyed portion of our city fell 
to the south and southeast, gradually changing direc- 
tion to east and northeast, and mud, uprooted grass 
and timbers were thrown into the south side of houses 
left standing outside this portion. Where windows 
were left they were frescoed with a plaster composed 
of these various ingredients. On the western edge of 
the totally destroyed portion trees, etc., fell toward 
the east and southeast and houses were broken into 
or plastered with mud on the north side. Mr. S. 
N. Hawkins speaks as follows of the upward draft 
which he experienced : 

*'I thought I would run home and help the family, 
and I started on the run. In passing the stairway 
leading to my office, which was in the second story 
of the solid brick building over the Bank of New 
Richmond, I ran up several steps and called to my 
oldest son, Fred, to close down the windows, as the 
storm was coming, and I would run home and help 
the family; then I started down the stairway again, 
and on reaching the foot of my stairs, everything 
was flying, and I was struck by flying brick around 



3IO A MODEIRN HERCUIvANEUM. 

the head and face. I dodged back into the shelter of 
the stairway, and in another instant I was sucked up 
the hallway of my stairs like a feather and slapped 
against the roof, then down came the building with a 
crash, and myself and son were buried five to seven 
feet deep under the brick, and I was struck with the 
scantling, etc., of the roof and upper story, and pinned 
down so I could not move hands or feet. A board 
slipped in from my office and covered my face, so I 
had a breathing place." 

One whose opinion would probably be very 
weighty in most matters of the kind has advised leav- 
ing windows and doors open upon the approach of a 
tornado, for the reason that in the center of the tor- 
nado cloud a vacuum exists into which the house is 
more likely to be sucked up and exploded by pressure 
from the air inside the closed house. If the houses 
are left open, he says, they will not be blown away. 
Our experience must also be exceptional in this re- 
spect, for we are cognizant of the fact that many 
houses here were taken with open doors and windows. 
Besides, there was the steel bridge taken up, twisted 
and thrown a hundred feet or more. That was cer- 
tainly open enough, and we can not believe that any 
house, or anything, would have been spared on this 
occasion, however open it might be, if in the torna- 
do's track. Our own home, on the eastern limit, had 
its eastern and largest part taken, with windows 
and doors open, and its western part left, while the 
woodshed adjoining the west side was taken, leaving 
the pile of wood, a clothes rack and other light stuff 
in place. 



CONCLUSION. 311 

To vShow something of the degree of destruction, I 
will specify in regard to our own dwelling, which was 
situated on the eastern limit of the totally destroyed 
district. Neither the disintegrating nor the dissem- 
inating force which reigned in the center was mani- 
fested here in its extreme. The house consisted of 
the square main portion, having seven rooms, besides 
halls and clothes presses, with a large porch east and 
south, and an ell containing kitchen and dining-room 
arrangements, bath room, and chambers above. The 
main portion of the house was entirely broken up, and 
the fragments thrown down, mostly in the yard, some 
plaster and light pieces in the cellar, and portions, 
which were easily recognized were found one, two 
and three blocks away. There were no floors, tim- 
bers or walls left in place, no part of the roof was ever 
seen, and the pile left in the yard consisted of separated 
portions which were piled about four feet high. Now, 
in the night, when we returned to the place, we dis- 
covered that the bay window, which had been on the 
southwest side of the house, had been ripped off en- 
tire, except that the window glass was broken, and it 
lay northeast of the former site of the northeast cor- 
ner of the house. W^ithin it were shades and curtains, 
torn and spoiled, of course, but still hanging to the 
rollers and rods. ''Now," said my eldest daughter, 
"my room was right over the bay window. I am go- 
ing up on the pile, and see if I can find my watch, 
which I left on the chiffoniere when I went down to 
tea." She mounted the ruins, and located some ar- 
ticles which had been in her room, lying quite on the 



312 A mode:rn herculaneium. 

top of the heap. The chiffoniere was broken to pieces, 
and all the little articles which were upon it gone, as 
may be supposed ; but, easily accessible, lay a skirt 
box, from which she took her white organdy gradu- 
ating dress, quite unharmed. She had recently put it 
in order, expecting to wear it the following week to 
a wedding at Chetek. I need not say that she was 
unable to find the necessary accessories to dress her- 
self for a wedding on the day set, or for many a day 
after. Every garment found outside the box was wet 
and grimed with lime and mud. My daughter also 
discovered her writing desk, which was of oak, and 
lay unbroken near enough to the top so she could tell 
what it was. Some one held a lantern for her while 
she hauled out a few wet garments which she thought 
might be of use, but which daylight showed so dis- 
colored by lime and some yellow stains having the ap- 
pearance of iron rust as to render them useless. Near 
here lay an old-fashioned castor, which had been in 
a flour sack, stored on the top shelf in a clothes press, 
next to my daughter's room. It had fallen with the 
house. It was a castor about fifty years old — an heir- 
loom, with cut glass bottles, set in silver cups. An 
examination of the contents of the sack on the follow- 
ing day revealed the fact that the castor had received 
no damage by its fall. The location of these things, 
which were all we found there that night, seemed to 
show that the house had been moved bodily north- 
eastward, and then collapsed. No pieces of furniture 
fell into the cellar. On the following day it was dis- 
covered that our piano (a new Anderson) lay on its 



CONCLUSION. 313 

back on the lawn northeast of the house, covered by 
a portion of the outside south wall. When this wall 
was lifted the piano was found in excellent condition 
as to the wholeness of the case, being only slightly 
broken in the front (which was open, as we always 
kept it), and the key-board forced somewhat back. 
It was taken up with difficulty by six men, loaded onto 
a dray, and carried to Mr. Oscar Heminway's. The 
dampness had destroyed the voice of our much-prized 
companion, but after some days of drying and clean- 
ing it sung for us again, in a tone much like that which 
it had in the dear past days. Near the piano were 
found an iron-frame, leather-covered Turkish chair, 
whole; and, marvelous to tell, an old-fashioned mir- 
ror, measuring, with frame, thirty-four by about sev- 
enty inches, which had been hung by means of two 
screw eyes upon two corresponding hooks screwed 
into the studding of the south wall of the parlor. 
This mirror had been wrenched from the wall and 
flung on its back, breaking pieces from the frame 
(which was first carved of wood, then covered with 
composition, and finally with paint of gold leaves), but 
leaving the glass intact. As these articles lay on the 
ground I think the east wall must have gone outward 
and away with the porch just before the furniture was 
swept from the rooms. Carpets were ripped from the 
floors, and, in nearly all cases, pictures from their 
frames. Further search under the bricks of the chim- 
ney (a large one, having three flues, and thrown, ex- 
cepting a small part of it, outside the foundation wall) 
revealed some articles which had been crushed under 



314 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

it. The pieces of an oak bureau were all there, crushed 
to fragments except the top board, on which sat my 
jewel case containing a few articles, a pasteboard box 
(containing a little silver Waterbury, which my young- 
est son had been successor to from his brother), and 
a glass necktie box, all entirely whole. This was a 
surprise equal to that of Miss Clapp's at finding 
among the ruins of her home some china and plants 
in bloom, unbroken. Further search among the lime 
brought to light articles of clothing, entirely on the 
ground, not, as a rule, very badly damaged by being 
torn, but thoroughly soaked and spoiled by the lye 
which had filtered through the lime of the broken 
plaster and mortar. My eldest son found his watch 
among the remains of his room, although the heavy 
roll-top desk (upon which he had left it in the after- 
noon because I advised him not to wear it to the 
circus) was entirely torn to pieces. Bedstead, chairs 
and other articles were in the same condition as the 
desk, while a folding screen remained as good as ever, 
only the cloth being ripped out of the openings. There 
were dozens of families who were so much less fortu- 
nate that I make this an example of the most hopeful 
of conditions, in which people found themselves. True, 
there were a few conveniences for our use. if we had 
been possessed of any house where we could place 
them, or of any money with which to rent or build, 
but in the absence of store-room they were an en- 
cumbrance. During the night every vestige of the 
Wm. McNally house, next to us, was entirely obliter- 
ated by fire. I picked up a piece of timber, about five 



CONCLUSION. 315 

feet long, the next morning, along which the fire was 
creeping towards our own debris, and threw it back 
into the ashes. That was the last of my neighbor's 
house. She had been too much occupied with the 
injured members of the family to pay any attention to 
it. It is quite likely the fire caught from the kitchen 
range, which lay in the yard in many pieces. The 
force of the storm was continuous, nearly every build- 
ing being demolished the instant it was struck — first 
lifted and then dashed down. In only one instance 
which has come to my knowledge did the dwelling 
appear to be twice rent and twisted before the final 
spasm carried it away. This the home of Mrs. D. W. 
Cummer. Some houses appeared to have passed each 
other on crossing tangents. One span of horses and 
the fragments of a house had actually changed places, 
and portions of furniture, carpets, etc., were torn apart 
and carried in opposite directions. The Bible from 
the Methodist Episcopal church was found several 
miles away. A note from the Kate Heffron farm was 
found at the Burrow's place, three miles away. Parts 
of the Douglas Reid Iniildings were found within our 
city limits, having been brought over the fields. 

It was no uncommon thing to find that our be- 
longings had traveled three or four blocks. Even 
the sausage cutter from the market, on Main street, 
was found four blocks away, in Mr. Heminway's corn 
field. About half of the millinery sign from the Lewis 
place was seen in Mr. Foster's field, having gone four 
blocks and a half. Near here was also a twenty-foot 
12x12, from the water tower, which had been carried 



3l6 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

fully three blocks. These examples could be added to 
indefinitely. Perhaps one of the most remarkable 
flights was that of a buggy, from Mr. Tobin's store, 
about four blocks, to the northeast, and there Avas 
enough left of it to show whose it was. 

Numberless articles found far out in the country, 
scattered over the fields or lodged in trees, could be 
identified. A diploma was taken from the corner of 
third and Arch streets and left on the \\^arner farm, 
four and one-half miles distant. Here a roll of bank 
notes was also found. A photograph from the Foster 
home, and a bolt of ribbon from the W. S. Williams 
store were found on the Jenkin's farm, seven and one- 
half miles distant. The fields were dotted with photo- 
graphs for miles, as well as large pieces of timber and 
heavy, as well as light, articles of wearing apparel. 
A life insurance policy, taken from the Sherman 
home, where it had been packed in a trunk with 
other articles, none of which were recovered, was 
found at Ormes Station. A stamp from the Bank of 
New Richmond, bearing the name of F. \\\ Bartlett, 
was found at Deer Park, eight miles distant. The 
deed of Mrs. Ricliard's place was picked up by C. H. 
Weeks, four miles northeast. Letters from the Van 
Meter printing ofiice were found a mile and a half 
south of Clear Lake, and a bolt of cloth, cut and use- 
less, bearing the trade mark of one of our merchants, 
was found at Richardson, six miles beyond Clear 
Lake, by Mr. Courtright. 

The effect on horses, as noticed by many, was to 
tame them, and make them seek the protection of 



CONCLUSION. 317 

men. Mr. O. H. Epley went to find "Jack," usually 
a lively, dancing and independent little chestnut horse. 
He was in the ruins of the blacksrnith shop, which 
had been moved and jumbled up with the horses 
which had been inside. When a portion of broken 
roof was lifted up Jack scrambled to his feet, and leap- 
ing over the dead horses piled around him, came close 
to his rescuer, trembling violently. As he was led 
along, the strong gusts of wind and rain caused them 
to seek shelter beside the stumps of willow trees, in 
Mr. Brown's yard. Jack crowded so closely to his 
friend that he was obliged to change his position to 
avoid being crushed against the tree. Jack was 
hitched up that night, but would not go w^hen in the 
harness, although he followed obediently when led. 
The poor fellow seemed to sufTer from shattered 
nerves for weeks afterward, just as the people did. 
Any unexpected noise, especially the rumbling of 
trains at a distance, set him into tremors of fear. The 
Burrow's horses are said to have been at the barnyard 
gate, w^aiting to be let in, wlien hurled away and killed. 
I have yet to learn of any peculiar signs of sagacity 
on the part of animals in avoiding the path of the 
tornado. It has been stated that dogs left the place, 
and returned afterwards. Of this I have been unable 
to secure proof. A dog belonging to Mr. Link was 
stated to be among those who went away, but Mrs. 
McMahon thinks she was the last one to go into Mr. 
Link's and that the dog went in with her. Other dogs 
huddled close to their masters all day. A good many 
dogs were killed. 



3l8 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

A loft of white Scotch fan-tail pigeons, whose 
home was carried blocks away (where a small portion 
of it was found), took to roosting on the wreck of the 
house. When this was moved ofif they went with it 
about half a block, then came back and roosted on 
the barn, hastily rebuilt. Here they stayed nights 
for awhile, as long as we ourselves made the barn our 
family headquarters ; then, when we took up lodgings 
in the office (repaired), they, too, moved to the office 
roof, and when the nights were stormy we could hear 
them cooing and scrambling about, evidently dis- 
turbed, like ourselves. Later, when a room in the 
woodshed was sealed up to make a temporary kitchen 
for us, we frequently found one of the poor little 
creatures sitting just outside the door, as if waiting 
to come in. Nothing could induce them to remain in 
a loft built on the site of the old one. The flock of 
forty, which we had before the tornado, was reduced 
to twenty-three, some of them reappearing, with their 
feathers burned off. They would not feed nor roost 
in the loft, and they gradually died off until only three 
were left, which were sent to a gentleman in Eau 
Claire. 

We have learned some lessons which could not 
have been presented to us more forcibly. We know 
now that ''the 'poor' are like ourselves in all their 
common necessities, and that great stress brings the 
strongest elements of character to the surface, whether 
good or bad. We know that there is a deep and ten- 
der spirit of charity in the hearts of men and women ; 
that convulsions of grief often wake the better parts 



CONCLUSION. 319 

of our nature, which may have been obscured by the 
bustle of business, or desire for personal enjoyment, 
and that when distinctions of wealth and station are 
lost sight of, there is a great bond of sympathy be- 
tween all Christian people. Love of home and fam- 
ily, and the sweet sentiments which have clustered 
around the home hearthstone, are understood by all 
civilized people. During that interval, which is like 
a division line between an old tried life and an un- 
certain new one, the writer joined an outdoor group 
of the oldest residents, who were discussing the ques- 
tion, ''Were we afflicted for a purpose?" The more 
radical in the matter of conscience believed that we 
had not lived up to our duties according to our en- 
lightenment, and that there could be found reasons 
for bringing the community most forcibly to its senses 
if one took an orthodox interpretation of the biblical 
standard of excellence. True is it, indeed, that people 
have gone so far in the service of false gods in this 
day and generation that the ideals of goodness do not 
stand out very markedly to us, but, on the whole, T 
think it was concluded that we had not been so noto- 
riouslv bad as to serve the purpose of an example. 
We, however, acknowledged remissness in many re- 
spects. There are individuals in every community 
whose acts are open to denunciation, and others 
whose outward life seems to conform to a course of 
action explainable only by an inward conviction of 
right and duty. We could not believe that we had a 
predominance of the former class. Whether the visit- 
ation which we have experienced will serve to raise 



320 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

the moral tone of our city above the ordinary or not, 
remains to be proved. We had really claimed a good 
position previously, perhaps with too much pride. 
A\'ho can tell? It is so human to err by exceeding, 
either on the one side or the other, the point of pride 
which exactly conforms to proper self-respect. We 
confidently asserted that the experience which comes 
to each may be to him the chastening rod, which 
''makes perfect," and left unsettled the decision of 
the main question. The forces of nature will con- 
tinue to work out their conservative power to the end 
of time, and the accident of our situation may cause 
our annihilation by them, but we believe that the 
Creator "doth not willingly afflict his children." The 
subject was too intricate for us, and we were unable to 
think long consecutively at that time of confusion, so 
the conversation turned upon other topics suggested 
by surroundings. One said : "I shall miss the shade 
trees more than anything else. The buildings can be 
replaced, if not by us, some one is bound to come in 
here and build up a city again, because the location 
is fine, and it is a center of trade for the surrounding 
country. Of course, we have had a tornado, but we 
are no more likely to have another one than hundreds 
of other places. We shall have a nice Httle city again 
some day. I may not live to see it, but it will be here. 
I should be happier if I could sit under my old trees, 
and see the work go on. That fine butternut tree, 
which was uprooted in the comer of my yard, I set 
out when I was a boy. That was in the days when 
Case Gorsuch and I used to go to Hudson with 



CONCLUSION, 



321 



an ox team. Hudson was at that time quite an 
emporium, being on Lake St. Croix, and accessi- 
ble by the Mississippi steamboats, and we went there 
for suppHes. We used an ox team, l3ecause there 
were no horse teams here. Mr. Russell had one 
horse, and Mr. Foster had one horse, which we 
boys used to get and hitch up together sometimes ; 
but they didn't go very well together — were not a 
very good match. As Case and I came plodding 
along from Hudson one night (the road was rather 
dreary) we passed the 'lone tree,' about the only 
landmark on the way, and remarked the scarcity of 
trees, and how lonely it seemed without them to peo- 
ple from the East. 'Yes,' Case said, 'it is lonely, and 
why did I come way off up here to live? New Rich- 
mond w^ill never be a market place while I live.' A 
few vears later, -when I kept a general store here, he 
used to bring maple sugar in to sell from his farm at 
Black Brook. New Richmond had got to growing 
then, and it kept on growing. I used to remind him 
of the time when he said we should never have a mar- 
ket here, and told him I could sell ten times as much 
sugar for him as he could make. Well, there were 
Cottonwood trees here then. Mr. Russell set them 
out around a large tract of land, intending to build 
a mansion in the middle of it, but afterwards sold it 
ofif. There were other cottonwood trees set out be- 
cause they grow so rapidly, and a great many of them 
grew up to large trees and were cut down, other trees 
of slower growth, such as elms, evergreens, butternut 
and box elders having become large enough to afford 
21 



322 



A MODERN HERCULAXEUM. 



sufficient shade. The trees are a loss which cannot be 
quickly replaced, and I was attached to mine because 
I set them out and cultivated them and w'atched them 
grow." So we passed from one theme to another, not 
dwelling- long on any, perhaps unstable in the matter 
of continuity of thought, but on the whole retaining 
some part of the common sense of ordinary people 
notwithstanding all. And it seems that all through 
the past days and months, full of hurried preparations 
for living again, we have been flittering both mentally 
and bodily from one part of a tangled maze to an- 
other. First the dreadful days of excavating the ruins 
for the most precious treasures, — the bodies of our 
dead, — and the care and concern for their proper lay- 
ing away, and the anxiety for the injured ; then the 
gleaning of the promiscuous heaps for some token 
which had been treasured for the fragrance of its mem- 
ory, rather than intrinsic worth ; then the lack of stor- 
age room, which caused us to lose many articles once 
discovered ; then the weary trailing about for one pur- 
pose or another, feeling impoverished and discour- 
aged. Then we spoke of the good friends who came 
without ostentation, and who remembered that there 
were individuals in that band of refugees with wants, 
emotions and pride akin to what they themselves 
would feel under the same conditions, and that there 
was suffering not Avorn on the sleeve or seen of men 
except by its impression on care-worn and aging 
faces. Out of all this we gather lessons of humanity. 
May we, too, recognize the silent sorrow and environ- 
ment of others similarlv afflicted, else we have not ex- 



CONCLUSION. 323 

perienced the refinement born of adversity. So much 
of our sympathetic self has been spent in viewing the 
wearisome struggles for heahh and sufficient of this 
world's goods to make a decent subsistence that it has 
preyed on our vital energy. Plans had to be hastened 
in order to conform to the policy of the relief commit- 
tee in their disbursements, making the results some- 
times not altogether what would be desired. Such 
haste was business-like and commendable, and would 
probably have been manifested sooner had it been 
more definitely known to the committee what would 
be at their disposal. The spirit of the age is often too 
much on the side of push and rush, but at this juncture 
was very proper. Very proper, also, was the require- 
ment for every applicant for aid to specify all his past, 
present and hoped-for resources, although in cases 
somewhat embarrassing on account of their meager- 
ness. It is said that the ancient Campanian city of 
Herculaneum, with which we compare in points of op- 
positeness as well as of resemblance, was buried by a 
violent volcanic eruption. The inhabitants fled to the 
sea, which was their only hope of escape, and it is sup- 
posed that a stream of lava had filled up the little har- 
bor, rendering it inaccessible to the Roman soldiery 
who would otherwise have rescued them. Even the 
exact date and manner of the catastrophe are un- 
known. Tradition records the name of one lady of 
some rank who succeeded in getting an appeal for suc- 
cor to the outer world. Such indefinite knowledge 
of places and events cannot now obtain. The peo- 
ples of all countries join hands around the great circle 



324 ^ MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

of civilization by means of the electric current, and, al- 
though this means of communication may be for a 
time suspended it is not in keeping with the progress 
of the century to leave the wretched long in suffering, 
existing difficulties long unsurmounted, or treasures 
unexploited. From adversity we may draw treasures of 
knowledge not found in books, and the truest knowl- 
edge is that which makes men happier as well as bet- 
ter. When an oppressed and captive race in our land 
cried to us, ''Am I not a man and a brother?" one- 
half our nation forgot the ninety-and-nine ties of kin- 
ship w'ith the other half, and spilled their blood to free 
the one brother from his fetters. When Cuba cried. 
''Enough of Spanish rule!" our husbands and sons, 
goaded by a mysterious act of treachery, faced the pes- 
tilence of the torrid clime to preserve our nation's 
honor, and put an end to unhumane warfare. And 
thousands on thousands of dollars have been burned 
up in booming guns or used to rehabilitate the islands, 
devastated by their misfortunes. Could not — should 
not — such a humane nation make provision for her 
loyal subjects when overtaken by dire disaster? Should 
not her states have in reserve a few of the thousands 
from her people to return to her people when they 
have met with exceptional calamities? Should she 
not provide definite assurance of relief commensurate 
with the nature of the calamity? This would not only 
add to the efficiency of the work of the distributing 
bureau, but also lift the burden of uncertainty and 
despair from the minds of its victims, and encourage 
them to formulate plans for the future. In what wav 



CONCLUSION. 325 

this could be done and with what poHcy of adminis- 
tration, let our wise lesgislators decide. It has oftimes 
seemed that they were able, if required, to fetch the 
golden apples from the far Hesperides. They wall 
surely be equal to this. We believe that the idea is a 
feasible one, and that some humanely disposed one, 
possessing the necessary talent, will one day so place 
it before our humane and sovereign people that the 
measure desired w^ill come to pass. The poor have 
proved that they are usually ready with their mite to 
relieve the pangs of those who for the time belong to 
their class ; the well-to-do can understand that sudden 
and complete poverty falls with more crushing and be- 
wildering power upon those who by years of patient 
industry, gathering here a little and there a little, have 
attained to a modest degree of comfort, than upon the 
careless and unthrifty who whisk gaily around on the 
wheel of fortune — now^ up, now down — without tak- 
ing thought for the morrow ; and as to those who are 
rich beyond the point of peaceable possession, they 
would perhaps as well enjoy being relieved of a share 
of their burden of wealth by organized charity as by 
that which is desultory and harassing. 

No arrangement looking toward definite finan- 
cial relief upon the occasion of exceptional calamity 
need interfere with the healthful flow of benevolence 
and generosity for relieving temporary distress. It 
should at all times be diflicult to tap the public till, and 
a proper amount of "red tape" should accompany its 
disbursements, but if any were to l)e a preferred 
class in such disbursements, it would be more fitting 



326 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

that those afflicted and despoiled through no fault of 
their own should be included in it rather than the 
rich or politically great. When we recall that night, 
when a column of mighty wrath from the heavens 
descended upon us and smote us so sorely, when de- 
spair shrouded us, and the face of the Lord seemed 
turned away from us, when the elements raged against 
us, and we had no abiding place; when we think of 
the dismal waste wherein lay buried our earthly hopes, 
and of ourselves casting about fearfully, like wraiths 
upon some unknown shore; when we remember the 
strange gloom and distraction, the sorrowful faces 
flitting past us, the funerals, the crowds, the wagons 
wdth their motley loads never ceasing by day, and the 
rap, rap of hammers that was our evening lullaby and 
the reveille at morning, for many weeks before the 
late winter set in and stopped much of the work; it 
all seems like a long, troubled dream. But the work 
we had to do was our salvation, and bridged over the 
time of our keen distress. The sympathy and tender 
consideration which we received saved us from bitter- 
ness. There were those who fainted by the way; 
there are prematurely bowed forms and whitened 
heads; there are homes where the hours pass too 
quietly, and where the final gathering together em- 
phasized the vacancies — to some beyond endurance. 
I have in mind mothers whose children come no more 
to their longing arms; fathers, the light of whose 
homes has gone out ; and widowed homes, whose or- 
phaned children miss a guiding hand. I see a lack 
of zest in social life and a shrinking from social gath- 



CONCLUSION. 327 

erings ; but there is no moroseness. There is now a 
contented and industrious spirit, — a desire to make 
home-life pleasant for the ones who are left, and I 
believe that earthly possessions in excess of actual 
needs are prized less here now than ever before. The 
cares which treasure brings are looked upon as weari- 
some, and to live is more to live for each other than 
heretofore. 

My great fear for the future is that this sort of close 
communion with our families, while there is in it no 
spirit of unsociability with others (though some are a 
little mindful of the humiliation of having been objects 
of charity) m?y lead to unsociability in the letter. 
What we need is a project of common interest and 
common benefit to work for, while we still feel how 
much good one can do for another — co-operative 
work of some kind, calling for such talent, time and 
money as each can give, so that the favors which we 
have received may pass on, blessing others, whereby 
men shall know that we ''love one another." 

In concluding this record I wish to make per- 
sonal acknowledgment to one of the noblest of pro- 
fessions for timely and munificent illustration of fra- 
ternal spirit and human sympathy. "This wes a kind 
thocht and rael weel dune." 



INDEX FOR ILLUSTRATIONS. 



1. New Richmond before the Storm (during the G. A. R. 

encampment), looking North on Main Street ^ 

Frontispiece. 

2. Bird's-Eye View, looking Southeast across Point 

where the Storm Entered the City — Relief Head- 
quarters in the Foreground at the right, .opp. page 17^ 

3. Bird's-Eye View, looking Southeast across the Storm- 

Swept Business Center of the City opp. page 33 / 

4. Bird's-Eye View, looking Northeast from Top of 

Flour Mill across Point where Storm left the City. 

opp. page 3,2, - 

5. Looking East from Corner of Main and Third Streets 

— Portions of Lewis Residence, Dr. Epley's place 

in the Background opp. page 49 ^ 

6. "Silhouetted Against the Sky" opp. page 65 

7. Cottonwood Shade Trees Denuded of Bark 

7^ Rescue Work opp. page 81 ,. 

8. Second Street — Principal Business Street during the 

Summer of 1899 

8^ Frank Harding (center foreground), Captain of Cof- 
fee Brigade opp. page 97 ^ 

9. Main Street, New Richmond, Wis., looking North 

from Third Street, June 15, 1899 

9J^ View Showing the Assemblage of the Throng of Spec- 
tators as One of the Dead Bodies was Recovered 
and brought to the Guard Lines. opp. page 113 ' 

10. A Widow's All 

loYi The Doty Home opp. page 129 

11. Ward S. Williams Co. 's Stone Store opp. page 145/ 

329 



330 A MODERN HERCULANEUM. 

12. Second Street, looking West across Main Street 

T^ "1? . . TT „ ^ ^PP- page i6i 
13- -boster s Home," Oldest Residence in Town 

T~. • opp. page 177 

14. Ruins of Methodist Episcopal Church opp. page 193 / 

15- First Street, looking West from Watenvorks over '^ 

Ruins of Nicollet Hotel opp. page 209 / 

10. Destruction of Dr. Epley's Home 

16H Foundation and Cellar of Dr. Johnson's' Home- 
House Disappeared opp. page 2^5 / 

17. Waterworks and Electric Power Station, looking 
Southwest directly against the Course of the Tor- 

^ ^ "^^° opp. page 257 ^ 

i«. Feathered Refugees— View looking Northwest across 

Main Street from East Third Street opp. page 273 

19- Ruins of Steel Bridge, looking South up Main Street. 

opp. page 305 
20. Snap-Shots after the Storm opp. page 321 



CONTENTS. 



Dedication 4 

Preface ^ 

Chap. I. Dark Shadows Fall lo 

The Meeting of the Clouds— Descriptions of 
Dr. O. F. Thomas, H. Huntoon, Mrs. Geo. Mar- 
tin, .Edw. Hyde, Wm. McShane, Dr. Degnan, 
and Progress and Destruction of Cyclonic 
Clouds from Hudson through Boardman. 

Chap. H. One Beautiful Aweul Summer Day. 28 

New Richmond a Place of Pretty Plomes, 
Prosperous Business, and Happy People— Mon- 
day Morning, and All is Well— A Circus in 
Town Today, and Country Friends and Resi- 
dents View the Parade— Pleasant Hours Pass— A 
Storm is Brewing— The Cry of "Cyclone! Flee 
to Your Cellars!"— Moments of Agony— Devas- 
tation and Death. 

Chap. in. The Roll Call 4i 

Are We All Here?— Fires Break Out in the 
Ruins— Where are the People Who Thronged 
the Streets? 

Chap. IV. Rescue and Reliee 57 

The Peculiar State of Mind— No Familiar or 
Homelike Sounds— Confusion— "Lord, Help 
Us!"_Search for Friends and Recovering Bod- 
ies from the Wreckage— Hudson, Chippewa 
Falls, St. Paul, to the Rescue. 
331 



33'^ A MODERN IIERCULANEUM. 

Chap. V. Come and Help Us 75 

Messrs. Beebe, Frizzell, Lambdin and Bur- 
rows brave Difficulties and Dangers to Secure 
Help — Doctors and Druggists, Nurses and 
Friends to the Rescue — Dispatches Sent East 
and West — Special Relief Trains. 

Chap. VI. The Days After the Tornado 92 

A Gray Morning, and Fires Still Burning — 
"Blank and Strange!" — Crowds Heading toward 
New Richmond — Dispatches to the Governor — 
Food and Clothing Arriving — Recovering ^lore 
Bodies — Sunday Finds the Work Still Going On. 

Chap. VH. Stories of the Participants 109 

Douglas Reid — ^^lesdames Webster — A. B. 
Clifton — Gross — Anthony Early — Richards — T. 
L. Rutty — Doty — Warner — E. J. Scott — ^lessrs. 
Geo. Hough— B. Blancher— H. Beal— Chas. 
Price— I. Lotz— Thos. Haley— W. Mosher— H. 
Constance— H. H. Smith— W. F. McNally— L. 
Prentice — W. T. Lambdin — Wm. Frizzell — W. 
H. Lounsbur}- — E. A. Glover — Sydney Foster — 
E. O. Kaye — Wm. Densmore — Miss Tatro — 
Mesdames Tobin — Jameson — Knight — Cummer 
— Edwards — Geo. Wells — Oakes — Boehm — Cum- 
mings — Messrs. C. and F. Phillips — S. Oleson — 
Alex Leverty — Geo. Ripley, etc. 



Chap. VHI. Looking Over the Situation 22,2 

A Batch of Telegrams — Helpfulness of the 
Railroads and the Press — Difficulties in the Way 
of Communicating with Friends — Destruction at 
Clear Lake, Pineville, Arland and Barron — List 
of Dwellings Demolished — List of Business . 
Places Destroved in the Citv of New Richmond. 



CONTENTS. 



333 



Chap. IX. Work to Do 258 

Police and National Guard — Ransacking the 
Ruins — Confusion of the Moral Sense — Work at 
the Schoolhouse — Distributing Furniture, Cloth- 
ing, etc. — Temporary Buildings — Clearing Up — 
Hospitable Residents — Reconstruction. 

Chap. X. State Aid 273 

The People Aroused to Action — The Governor 
Appoints a Committee and Issues a Second 
Proclamation — Sub-Committees — Business Men's 
Association Appoint a Representative to Raise 
Funds — Selections from Report of Relief Com- 
mittee. 

Chap. XI. In Memoriam 297 

List of Victims of the Tornado. 

Chap. XII. Conclusion 303 

Safest Place of Refuge— W^hat Shall We Do 
When a Tornado Comes? — Extraordinary Char- 
acteristics of the Occurrence — Its Motions and 
Velocity, and Disseminating Force — Efifect on 
Animals — Lessons We have Learned — National 
Emergency Fund — The Past Like a Troubled 
Dream, but the Sorrows are Real. 



ftD ^ 8 














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